Now, affording any luxury is out of the question. We have carefully selected 25 of the very weirdest, interesting and flat out awesome tattoos of NBA players. Maybe Kyle will get Torontos dinosaur mascot tattooed on his body at some point. Even if he only has one tattoo on his back, he is worth including on this list due to the impressive nature of this ink artwork. That's a cool idea. This may be the best tattoo in all of the NBA. No tattoos.. Ben Simmons. It's hard to believe that after all these years of being a member of the "Splash Bros," that no sort of art resembling that motto is tatted on his skin. It's a personal decision that doesn't impact their game. According to the New York Daily News, the rule does not specifically mention tattoos, but the intent is clear. He also didnt have any visible ink when he entered the league in 2014. Whether or not he gets a tattoo is his personal choice, but we as fans would definitely like to see him getting an NBA ring. Likewise, the portrait of Rick James, the famous singer, reigns on his left thigh. Look at it. With NBA playoffs underway, players are showing off their talents - NPR It also doesn't hurt that most NBA teams have their own logo which makes getting a personalized piece of art even more desirable. Not every tattoo has to be meaningful or vibrant. 10 on our list. Don't ask me why but I always pictured him having tats. Despite his personality and style, he still has nothing on his skin. Clarkson, now with the Utah Jazz, doesn't subscribe to that notion. The scrappy point guard is beloved in Canada for delivering the nation its first NBA championship in 2019. The Game Everyone Wants To Watch: All-Time Lakers vs. For these players, let's take a look at the top ten NBA players without tattoos. Artists have an incentive to sign rather than pass up a client who could be a billboard for their work. He has produced at a high enough level to be taken in two All-Star games but Duncan had tattoos. Rather, hes a hard working superstar who just goes out and does his job. Hence, it is more about a matter of choice and motivation for the NBA vet. It looks good, and it's certainly impactful. However, despite his recent MVP achievements, he still has no tattoos. The world knows his love for Italian wines and also for country music. Instead, he let his play do the talking on route to six consecutive All-Star appearances. Impressive, right? Jimmy Butler's "no tattoos" stance The five-time NBA All-physique Star's is devoid of tattoos. With NBA playoffs underway, players are showing off their talents and their style. Their latest collection draws inspiration from Black history and features modern-day Black equestrians the Compton Cowboys. Lance Fresh. Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up rocking dunks and. A player may not, during any NBA game, display any commercial, promotional, or charitable name, mark, logo or other identification, including, but not limited to, on his body, in his hair, or otherwise. According to the New York Daily News, the rule does not specifically mention tattoos, but the intent is clear. Among the texts etched on his body, we can highlight the famous basketball shot SWISH (under his chin), My time to Shine (neck), BLESSED (chest), Blood Brothas (abdomen), In Love WITH MY MONEY (left side abdomen), THROUGH THE FIRE (right arm), Always Loyal People and Just Klownin (back), God understands (left forearm), KING OF NEW JERSEY (left arm), or One For My Family (knuckles). Karl-Anthony Towns is another notable player without tattoos. For these players, we look at the top-10 NBA players that are tattoo-free. One reads "struggle," and the other reads "dedication." Paul continues to put up solid numbers, even into his mid-30s. His symbol comes from his face instead of his skin. Jimmy G. Buckets and his girlfriend Kaitlin Nowak became parents to a cute Rylee in 2019. The 67 forward player signed a 4-year $142 million contract with the Miami Heat in 2019. First discovered in ancient Egypt, it became popular again when Elvis Presley got his first tattoo in 1959. Unlike many of his NBA colleagues who love to showcase their body ink, Kevin Durant kept most of his tattoos hidden for a long period of time. Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy: most famous clients- LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr. Some Japanese players even retire after playing here so they can use the money they make to pay for their tattoos. To intimidate opponents through instilling fear. NBA players had to win a little sartorial freedom. a 4-year $142 million contract with the Miami Heat in 2019. Damian Lillard Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, Gordon Hayward Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Kobe Bryant Biography Facts, Childhood, Life, Death, Klay Thompson Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal life, Kyrie Irving Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Ben Simmons Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, Paul Millsap Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, CJ McCollum Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Draymond Green Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, 25 Biggest Sumo Wrestlers. FRESH: Now you see it - not just clothes, just, like, style, swag, just braids, tattoos, Vans. Seems like the vast majority of players you see nowadays (especially the younger ones) are hugely tatted up. Are there any NBA players without tattoos? It is very rare in the NBA that a player carries no ink on his skin. That humbleness is reflected in his lack of ink. Why do NBA Players have So Many Tattoos? Still a scrawny kid back then, Melo showed glimpses of his scoring prowess that even made headlines when he rivaled LeBron James in the high school basketball scene. A few NBA players have Super Mario tattoos. 1. The right side of his chest displays the words Tiaura and Deuce, the names of his son and daughter. ), his daughter and grandmothers names, or the words THRILL and Against All Odds. Surprise non-tat: D-Wade. In addition, Rodman has never hesitated to showcase his tattooed body. Which starting NBA players are tattoo free? - Quora The Air Jordan on his legdoesn't look great. Tattoo artist Victor Escobedo was awarded $22,500 for his lion tattoo that was portrayed on UFC fighter Carlos Condit without his permission in THQ's "UFC Undisputed" game. Whether or not there is a meaning behind a tattoo, totally depends on the player. CHRISTOPHER: I just always found clothes to be as, like, a way to express myself. Robert Lewandowski. 2023 Dunk or Three. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft is spotless. Given that Giannis is the recipient of the last two Most Valuable Player awards, he is arguably the best player on this list without a tattoo. Towns are just 24 years old but feel like he has been in the league forever since being taken with the No. Its true that he could not do the same with the Sixers and also that he had a tough time gelling up with the Timberwolves. So, the question is: why would someone who makes over $20 million per year not want any ink on their body? So as soon as I afford to get to wear real diamonds, I went and got my ears pierced. This article covers several of those stars who choose to abstain from tattoos, and discusses why they decided to avoid the needle rather than covering themselves in ink. An outstanding NBA scorer, Allen Iverson stands out for his impressive basketball skills and meaningful body inks. In fact, during the 2021-2022 season, 55% of the players in the league sported a visible tattoo. But, even if he has no tattoos on his arms, his chest, abdomen, back, and legs tell a different story about Christianity, faith, family, gratitude, and respect. Simmons has a proclivity for the flashy. GALVAN: That's Josh Christopher, a 21-year-old player for the Houston Rockets. The 24-year-old Aussie doesnt have any ink yet (that we know of), but might he change his mind as the years of his career go on? Surprise tat for me: Duncan. Russell has a lot of tattoos. The same can be said about his tattoos, which reference his family, origins, and roots. While he wasnt a top prospect, teams paid him for his hustle which allowed him to carve out a lengthy NBA career. Sunderland-born England star Henderson, 29, got the tattoo while on holiday in California. However, there is one tattoo that did manage to catch peoples attention: he had Trinas lips inked in bright red right behind his right ear. He was planning to have Capris name tattooed as well on February 5th. Some of the game's best players in LeBron James, Damian Lillard, and Anthony Davis are known for their tattoos. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from purchases made on Amazon via our links. Top 10 active NBA players without tattoos - iMedia - Donuts Some players, like Jason Richardson, called the code racist. Before Stephen Curry, it was Monta Ellis who ran the show in the Bay Area. One incident occurred when he was still with the Bulldogs; the other while he was with the Bulls. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. - Advertisement - Contents. Tattoos are one way of expression. It took him until his 23rd birthday to get his first tattoo. Despite winning everything in his career, Robert Lewandowski chooses to be humble and refuses to wear any tattoo on his body. It could also be that hes simply never found a need. All-Time Heat. The guard is anything but showy. These days, it seems like more players are covered in body ink than those who are not and it makes sense considering the body is a wonderful canvas for self-expression. Even though Lowry could have put a tattoo of "never back down" or something related to grinding out results, he didn't. While ink is a great way for players to show off their interests, many great players dont have anything on their body. Joel Embiid Embiid is a jovial character, and his smile is contagious. They wear long pants and long sleeves most of the time too. Why do NBA Players have So Many Tattoos? - Basketball Word! 0. In 2004, basketball player Kwame Brown became the first NFL player to wear a shirt with writing on his back. During this time, The Answer dominated the high school basketball landscape and used the sport in order to make ends meet. It may be hard to notice with his rag-tag style of play, but he does have ink by his left temple and underneath his chin. Those tattoos gave a nod to his priorities such as his love for basketball and family. What is Mike Conleys Height and Wingspan. The portraits of his family members are scattered all around his body: his grandmother (left leg), his daughters (upper left thigh, left leg), his wife (right thigh), his brothers (right side of his abdomen), his mother and the portrait of Jesus (chest), Nipsey Hussle, as well an homage to Michael Jordan (a pair of shoes, a figure holding a basketball, and an n 23 red jersey). A trend initiated by Dennis Rodman and Allen Iverson, tattoos allow NBA players to express themselves in and outside the playing court. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. He paid fines for code violations. Butler (22) warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital Acting career, tumultuous love life, eccentric lifestyle, body piercings, eye-catching hairstyles, or his famous friendship with Kim Jong, the North Korean dictator, Dennis Rodman is also famous for sporting one of the most shocking tattoos ever seen on an athletes body: a woman trying to eat her own intimate parts. That was all him, and that's still here. It looks kind of like a hockey mask, but no matter how much time we spend staring at it, we can't figure it out. Jimmy is the proud owner of a chiseled physique, stylish low-cut fade haircut, and a pop icons fashion sense. GALVAN: Iverson's looks were edgier, baggier and more akin to hip-hop culture, and Iverson wasn't having it. NBA players are well-known for their athleticism, outgoing personality, fashion sense, and tattoos. I'm probably not going to add every single player without a tattoo, because probably a third of the NBA players don't have any tattoos. Some people speculated he would get a few to celebrate his entrance into the league, but it seems the high-flying superstar is content with not having any right now. Finally, on his chest, close to his heart, there is a set of praying hands in between his mother and grandmothers initials. He can score in multiple ways and shines the brightest during Dame Time. For these players, we look at the top-10 NBA players that are tattoo-free. Since then, Clarkson started to get some tattoos. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He often wears custom suits from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada. Honor Award . Playing the power forward position instead of his traditional point guard role, Simmons is trying out something new in the NBA bubble. The NBA gets billions of dollars from advertising partners, who they don't want to offend when those who do not pay get free ad space. There are more tattoos equally significant for Allen: the word JEWELZ (his rap artist moniker), the words Fame and The Realist on his back, the words East End (left leg), See You When I Get There (left arm), or the terms Finest and Bad Newz (right forearm). Kenyon Martins body is covered with over 20 tattoos, including roses, stars, his baby sons face and the text Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood on his right arm, a big cross, and the text I Shall Fear No Man, But God covering his back, Chinese symbols, or the text Bad Ass Yellow Boy on his chest. Top 25 Most Crazy And Ugly NBA Players Tattoos 2023 Smith got his first tattoo when he was 15: a picture of himself dunking. Like Ball, Clarkson was also drafted by the Lakers. In addition to playing basketball, Jimmy is also a fashion icon. Accuracy and availability may vary. Both factors could show why the superstar doesnt have anything on his body. All in all, Durant has a total of 15 known tattoos on his body. Joel Embiid. While he has had plenty of reasons, including both an MVP and NBA championship, hes still clean. Dennis Rodman has always loved the spotlight! One Arena. Obviously, the sign is where struggle meets dedication. Football and hockey players wear helmets, as do baseball players when they bat and caps when they are in the field. Jan 9, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Nowadays, over 70% of the NBA players are all inked up. is a rapper who a lot of people would assume definitely has tattoos but in reality, he doesnt have any tattoos! . GALVAN: Christopher started working on his personal brand in high school, when he wasn't allowed to profit off his image as an athlete. Answer (1 of 3): Steve Nash, Dirk Nowistzki, Pau Gasol, Jeremy Lin, Dwyane Wade, Ramon Sessions, Andrea Bargnani, Vince Carter, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Kevin Martin, Linas Kleiza, Yao Ming, Manu Ginobli, Marc Gasol, just to name a few [1]. By HoopsHype staff | King James is tatted up to the nines, and for the most part his ink looks good. In a recent interview with GQ, Jimmy revealed, I do not, I do not have any tattoos. Some players get tattoos to remember their time spent with various organizations, but it seems Butler did not take this route. NBA Players' tattoos: Which NBA player has the best ink? Here's What NBA Players Looked Like Before They Were Covered In Tattoos He got this piece done by Jeff Gannon who has worked for ESPN, USA Today, and Universal Studios. By, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. AI, IMO, made neck tattoos OK for NBA players tattoos. PILAR GALVAN, BYLINE: Lance Fresh knows how to dress. A rose and his mothers name, Wanda, are also inked on his chest. Random. Nikola Jokic The Joker is one of the best players in the league. Some other notable names are Klay Thompson (GSW), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), and Nikola Jokic (Nuggets). So we'll give the Polish Hammer points for concept, but unfortunately he didn't get much bang for his buck on execution. The only problem? This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Chris "Birdman" Anderson is possibly the heaviest tattooed player in NBA history but one of his best is the red bird wings situated on his inner biceps which pair well with his nickname. Kyle Lowry. i was shock to see these nba players! The majority of them are legally represented, at any rate. It's too busy. All rights reserved. adventures. Look at those insane hand tattoos. JtotheIzzo. While it feels like this would be a tattoo that a My Little Pony gone rogue would get, it's a sharp design. So why is that Jimmy has no obsession with such a cool fashion symbol? Wont we? Karl-Anthony Towns. NBA Players Without Tattoos Embiid is currently enjoying one of the best seasons in his career, averaging 29.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Well root for that. While his three-point shooting percentage is considerably low, he makes up for it with his defense and ball-handling skills. Escobedo had originally . There is too much going on here. Zion is arguably the most-hyped player coming into the NBA since LeBron James. Below, you can check out a gallery containing some of the coolest tattoo designs on the bodies of current NBA athletes, from role players to superstars. The profits from some Honor The Gift drops go toward supporting local causes. So why is that Jimmy has no obsession with such a cool fashion symbol? The NBA's Tattoo Rules: Lonzo Ball Among Many Players Forced to Cover Up The NBA's tattoo culture has created a new type of influencer - CNN Style Hes now a proud member of the tattooed NBA players group. That being said, what's this? Chris Paul is one of the longest-tenured players in the NBA and one of the greatest players of all time. "Carpe Diem" is a pretty well-worn phrase. Could Joel Embiid Be The Modern Hakeem Olajuwon? Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up rocking dunks and loving basketball. Furthermore, they. People assume that rappers in the hip-hop industry have a lot of tattoos but that stereotype simply doesnt apply. If taking it all home wasnt enough, its unlikely anything ever will be. Allen went one step further and named his son Rahsaan. There are some absolutely hilarious entries in this list, so make sure to stick around till the very end. But if there is a tattoo that stands out, the huge tattoo on his back features the full James 1:2-4 psalm, the portrait of Jesus, the number 35, and an angel holding a basketball. Chandler has a lot of tattoos, but most of them aren't this drab. In addition, he got inked a growling bulldog on his left arm and the words The Answer (his nickname). In this piece, though, were ranking the top-10 NBA players who have decided to go tattoo-free thus far. Now a member of the Boston Celtics, Walker is continuing to produce, and he seems to have no discomfort in his previously injured knee. In addition, it may not be well-known. While Lillard has shined on the basketball court, his tattoos also get the same attention off the court. Players unions, many of which license the players likenesses to video game publishers, and sports agents have advised athletes to secure licensing agreements before they get tattooed. An NBA legend, Kobe Bryant was known for his successful basketball career that spanned over 20 years and for etching his personal life and faith on his skin. Some of the game's best players in LeBron James, Damian Lillard, and Anthony Davis are known for their tattoos. That includes many athletes across the globe, including players in the NBA. Tattoos are typically used for symbolism. Kyle Lowrys name has become synonymous with the Toronto Raptors, as he has been the face of that franchise since 2012. Try and take a close look at it sometime. NPR's Pilar Galvan says there's some history behind the clothes. Simmons is somebody that can average close to a triple-double on any given night. At the end of the day, its a personal choice that doesnt affect the game. Many players like Curry, Paul and Duncan actually have tattoos on their bodies, but the patterns are small or hidden in inconspicuous places. Are there any NBA players without tattoos? Wilson was only 16 when he got his first tattoo on his right arm: a cross with a basketball inside it and the words God Bless This Game. Credit: Philadelphia Inquirer. One study has found that about 56% of NBA players are tattooed.In contrast . Lets see if the former Duke standout changes his mind at some point down the road. Top 10 NBA Players Without Tattoos Ben Simmons. Chris Morgan is a sports and pop culture writer and the author of the booksThe Comic Galaxy of Mystery Science Theater 3000andThe Ash Heap of History. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Zion Williams. | However, thats not true for everyone. You have fashion weeks you can go to, and it's just a different way to network and connect - I mean, on, like, a business scale. With at least 15 tattoos, each one holds significance to the Blazers star. Kyle Lowry seemed like he would for a long time during his run with the Raptors, especially after their Championship run back in 2019. From arm sleeves to cartoon characters, insane masks, Chinese symbols, motivational phrases, tribal ink, nicknames, portraits, or tattoos that tell a personal story, NBA players seem to use their bodies as a canvas for colorful and eye-catching self-expression.