Published Jan 25, 2017
The hair up there: FSU's Isaac, Mann and Smith are a cut above
Ryan S. Clark  •  TheOsceola
Lead Beat Writer
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Admit it. Like so many, you've admired from afar -- even if it has created confusion at times.

It's hair. Not just any hair. It's the hair belonging to Florida State men's basketball players Jonathan Isaac, Terance Mann and Jarquez Smith.

All three players rock what is known as the "frohawk." It's a contemporary look which has exploded in popularity over the last two years. The sides fade and are gradually blended upward. From there, the length can range from being short like Smith's to a wilder look like Isaac's.

"We didn't plan it like that," Mann said. "Once we saw our hair growing the same way, we were like, 'We all got the same hair, so let's keep it going."

Such a look has made the trio stand out from their teammates. Ranked No. 6 in the nation, the Seminoles (18-2, 6-1 ACC) are among the hottest teams in college basketball as they head into tonight's game at Georgia Tech (11-8, 3-4).

And with each victory, the players' popularity has soared -- sometimes to a fault.

"I'll walk into Subway or something on campus and somebody behind me will be like, 'Hey Jon!' and I'll turn around, 'I'm not Jon,'" Smith said. "The other time I went to Chick-fil-A and someone said, 'Hey Terance!' and I'm like, 'I'm not Terance, either.'"

Mann, who is 6-foot-6, said he's had a similar experience with people confusing him for Isaac, who is 6-10.

"Especially on TV," Mann said. "My family members will say, 'I can't tell if that's you, No. 23 or No. 1 sometimes. I'm like, 'Yeah, it's hard sometimes.'"

Mann, a sophomore, has had a frohawk going back to last year. Smith, a senior, said he changed his hairstyle in the summer after his dad suggested he grow it out.

As for Isaac -- whose hair might add nearly a foot to his already lengthy frame -- he started growing it out in high school. He used to wear a "caesar," which is a cleaner look with trimmed edges.

Isaac, who was a rising star on the AAU circuit and a five-star prospect as a senior in high school, left his home in Naples and would play his final year at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Going to IMG did more than help Isaac become a better basketball player.

"Once I got out of the house and she couldn't really control my hair anymore," Isaac said of his mother, "I just went with it."

* Also See: Sophomore Terance Mann's role continues to grow for 'Noles

Despite a record start to this season, the Seminoles have managed to keep a straightforward approach for the most part. They've made a point to discuss the importance of unity while quickly eliminating any talk of individuality before it begins.

That all stops when you ask who has the best hair on the team.

Isaac is convinced it's him, while Mann also voted for himself.

So what does Smith think?

"I would say myself, but I'm not that type of person," Smith said with a giant grin. "But I do think Jon has the best. Jon's hair is always curly."

What does Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton think about his players' lengthy locks?

Isaac, Mann and Smith say the clean-shaven Hamilton will share his thoughts from time to time. His lone request is all three keep their hair looking presentable.

"He talks about it a lot," Isaac said. "He told us one day that, 'It's all going to be gone,' so cherish it."

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