The hair that many use to identify Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV is gone. No mohawk. No flat top. No locks.
And, most importantly, no "demons," as the 21-year-old described them.
Walker, in an Instagram post Thursday night, revealed that he had his hair cut symbolically so the emotional wounds of his childhood can begin to heal. Starting in fifth grade, Walker said, he began growing his hair out as a way to cope with his being sexually abused by family members.
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"The real truth as to why I started doing this early 5th grade, it was a cloaking device for me," Walker wrote in the caption of his post. "During the summer of my 5th grade year I was around more family. Some that names will be left alone I was around more. I was sexually harassed, raped, abused, I even got accustomed to it because being at that age you don’t know what is what.
"I was a gullible curious kid that didn’t know what the real world was. I had a mindset that my hair was something that I can control. My hair was what I can make and create and be mine. And it gave (me) confidence.
"As of recently I wasn’t at my best. Previous History popping up in my head and it sucked mentally “demons”..... because of this virus, I began to truly look at myself in the mirror and see who I truly was even behind closed doors.
"Long story short I have found peace and internal happiness through this journey god willingly. I forgave everyone even the people that don’t deserve it why? Because it’s dead weight. Time doesn’t wait on anyone so why should I waste my time on it?
"Me cutting my hair was more than a cut. My hair was a mask of me hiding the insecurity’s that I felt the world wasn’t ready for. But now better then ever. Out with old. In with the new. I have shed my skin mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Life will always be hard. Gotta play with the cards your dealt with and try and make a winning hand. And if you lose. It’s never a lost. It’s a lesson. I’m gonna be off (Instagram) for awhile still growing through this. Just know I love each and everyone one of y’all. Peace love and happiness."
Walker in the video he posted explains the progression of his hair styles through high school and college. (He played one season at Miami before he was selected No. 18 overall by San Antonio in the 2018 NBA Draft.)
Walker was averaging 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game for the Spurs before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the 2019-20 NBA season in March. San Antonio is among the 22 teams that will participate in the resumption of the season next month in Orlando, Fla.