DUBS AND J. WILLS. LOOK AS THE THUNDER PREPARE FOR THE BIGGEST GAME OF THEIR LIVES. A LOCAL STYLIST IS MAKING SURE THE PLAYERS ARE GAME DAY READY. LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, PLAY GOOD. AZALEA HOLMES BRAIDS WITH PRECISION. IT’S A MASTERY THAT’S LANDED THE STYLIST HER BIGGEST CLIENTS. JALEN WILLIAMS AND JALEN WILLIAMS. I HAVE A STEP STOOL THAT I HAVE TO USE WHEN THEY COME IN. NOT ONLY DO THE THUNDER PLAYERS SHARE THE SAME NAME, BUT THEY SHARE THE SAME HAIRSTYLIST. FOR TWO YEARS, J DUB AND J WILL HAVE GOTTEN THEIR HAIR BRAIDED RIGHT ON CLASSEN AT BARBER SHOP. THEY’RE PRETTY SIMPLE. THEY GO WITH THE SAME THING A LOT. J-DUB HE MIGHT GO SIX SEVEN MONTHS AND THEN DECIDE HE WANTS TO TRY SOMETHING NEW, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, HE ALWAYS WANTS THE SAME THING. AS FOR J WILL, SHE SAYS HIS SIGNATURE SMILE IS GENUINE. HE’S ALWAYS JOYFUL. HE ALWAYS SMILES, LIGHTS UP THE ROOM WHEN HE WALKS IN. HE’S SO TALL. OF COURSE, EVERYBODY TURNS AND LOOKS. ALL EYES HAVE BEEN ON THE THUNDER AND THEIR HISTORIC RUN TOWARDS THE FRANCHISE’S FIRST NBA CHAMPIONSHIP, SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON HOLMES INTRICATE WORK. IT’S UNREAL, TO BE HONEST, I’M STILL TRYING TO TAKE IT. TAKE IT ALL IN AND HAS INSPIRED YOUNG THUNDER FANS TO LOOK JUST LIKE THEIR IDOLS. BUT I KNOW A LOT OF MY CLIENTS LIKE TO BRAG ON THE FACT THAT THAT’S MY STYLIST, MY STYLIST DOES J DUBS HAIR, SO THAT’S PRETTY COOL. DO THEY EVER COME IN ASKING FOR THE SAME BRAIDS? I HAVE, I HAVE A COUPLE KIDS. THEY’LL ASK FOR JADA BRAIDS OR THEY’LL ASK FOR SHAY BRAIDS IF THEY’RE WATCHING. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL THEM? I’M PROUD OF YOU GUYS. AND Y’ALL GOT IT. Y’ALL GOT IT IN THE BAG.
OKC hairstylist who does Thunder players’ braids gets attention during NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder are playing on the biggest stage in the world, but their success is shining a light on others, too.
Updated: 5:10 PM CDT Jun 20, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder are playing on the biggest stage in the world, but their success is shining a light on others, too. Azalia Holmes is a hairstylist who works with Jalen Williams, also known as J-Dub, and Jaylin William, known as Jay Will. She is the stylist behind the two Thunder athletes’ braids. “Look good, feel good, play good,” Holmes said. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Holmes braids with precision. It’s a mastery that has landed the stylist her biggest clients. “I have a step stool I have to use when they come in,” Holmes said. >> Video Below: Oklahoma City fans greet Thunder after loss to Pacers in Game 6Not only do the Thunder players share the same name, but they share the same hairstylist. For two years, J-Dub and Jay Will have gotten their hair braided on Classen Boulevard at Rooted Barber Shop. “They’re pretty simple. They go for the same thing a lot. J-Dub he might go six to seven months and then decide he wants to try something new, but for the most part, he always wants the same thing,” Holmes said. >> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelAs for Jay Will, she said his signature smile is genuine. “He’s always joyful. He always smiles. Lights up the room when he walks in. He’s so tall, of course, everyone turns and looks,” Holmes said. >> Video Below: Oklahoma City fans greet Thunder after loss to Pacers in Game 6All eyes have been on the Thunder and their historic run toward the franchise’s first NBA title, shining a spotlight on Holmes’ intricate work. “It’s unreal, to be honest. I’m still trying to take it all in,” Holmes said. Her work has also inspired young Thunder fans to look just like their idols. “I know a lot of my clients like to brag on the fact that, ‘That’s my stylist. My stylist does J-Dub’s hair.’ So, that’s pretty cool,” Holmes said. “Do they ever come in and ask for the same braids?” KOCO 5’s Kilee Thomas asked. “I have a couple kids that will ask for J-Dub braids or they’ll ask for Shai braids,” Holmes responded. >> Video Below: Thunder fans rush to add NBA Finals patches to jerseys”If they’re watching, what do you want to tell them?” Kilee asked. “I’m proud of you guys, and you got it. Y’all got it in the bag,” Holmes said. Top HeadlinesWATCH: Wild video shows fiery crash involving semi on highwayOklahoma City police release video of deadly June shootingOklahoma City fans greet Thunder after loss to Pacers in Game 6Pacers roll past Thunder 108-91 to send the NBA Finals to a deciding Game 7Babysitter charged in child deaths was found on social mediaHow to prevent heatstroke and other heat-related emergencies
OKLAHOMA CITY —
The Oklahoma City Thunder are playing on the biggest stage in the world, but their success is shining a light on others, too.
Azalia Holmes is a hairstylist who works with Jalen Williams, also known as J-Dub, and Jaylin William, known as Jay Will. She is the stylist behind the two Thunder athletes’ braids.
“Look good, feel good, play good,” Holmes said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Holmes braids with precision. It’s a mastery that has landed the stylist her biggest clients.
“I have a step stool I have to use when they come in,” Holmes said.
>> Video Below: Oklahoma City fans greet Thunder after loss to Pacers in Game 6
Not only do the Thunder players share the same name, but they share the same hairstylist.
For two years, J-Dub and Jay Will have gotten their hair braided on Classen Boulevard at Rooted Barber Shop.
“They’re pretty simple. They go for the same thing a lot. J-Dub he might go six to seven months and then decide he wants to try something new, but for the most part, he always wants the same thing,” Holmes said.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
As for Jay Will, she said his signature smile is genuine.
“He’s always joyful. He always smiles. Lights up the room when he walks in. He’s so tall, of course, everyone turns and looks,” Holmes said.
>> Video Below: Oklahoma City fans greet Thunder after loss to Pacers in Game 6
All eyes have been on the Thunder and their historic run toward the franchise’s first NBA title, shining a spotlight on Holmes’ intricate work.
“It’s unreal, to be honest. I’m still trying to take it all in,” Holmes said.
Her work has also inspired young Thunder fans to look just like their idols.
“I know a lot of my clients like to brag on the fact that, ‘That’s my stylist. My stylist does J-Dub’s hair.’ So, that’s pretty cool,” Holmes said.
“Do they ever come in and ask for the same braids?” KOCO 5’s Kilee Thomas asked.
“I have a couple kids that will ask for J-Dub braids or they’ll ask for Shai braids,” Holmes responded.
>> Video Below: Thunder fans rush to add NBA Finals patches to jerseys
“If they’re watching, what do you want to tell them?” Kilee asked.
“I’m proud of you guys, and you got it. Y’all got it in the bag,” Holmes said.
Top Headlines