Tiffany Mitchell says she was the victim of "clear racial discrimination" after being asked to tie her braids back by Basketball Australia - who were enforcing a rule which no longer exists in the global game.
American Mitchell, who plays for the Melbourne Boomers, said she was told she would not be allowed to play in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) "if I didn't tie my hair up or wear it in a bun".
Basketball Australia's rule on free braids said they could cause harm to another player if they swing free and are not permitted.
But the body changed the rule at the weekend noting it was not enforced in other professional leagues, nor in the Olympics.
Mitchell, who was signed from the Indiana Fever, and her team took the knee ahead of their weekend game against the Southside Flyers.
In a post on Instagram, she wrote it was "clear only the black people in this league has these type of braids".
The 27-year-old added: "I've played all around the world, in every top league at the highest level and my braids has never been an issue.
"When I approached Basketball Australia ... they stood on the fact that it was a FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rule they were told to enforce it, but later they reverted because it was actually a rule in FIBA that wasn't even in place anymore.
"You can clearly see in the second picture before my first game the pain I was still carrying because how are you enforcing a rule that isn't even a rule anymore, the target I felt I had on my back was indescribable but still played with all the disappoint I felt from Basketball Australia."
Her stance was backed by WBNA players, including former Fever teammates.
Jantel Lavender wrote "Braids aren’t a weapon! It’s simply a protective hairstyle. We have a long way to go!", while Dallas Wings player Isabelle Harrison said: "I can’t believe we still have to protest these sort of things. So proud of you and your team."
Basketball Australia said it made "an unreserved apology for any anguish and pain that was caused by this rule".
It added: "The policy has been deemed discriminatory and inconsistent with Basketball Australia’s Diversity & Inclusion framework by the WNBL Commission.
"To this end, the WNBL Commission has removed the policy, effective immediately."
