In the National Basketball Association (NBA), more and more players are getting face tattoos. This trend is a sign of the times as body art becomes increasingly acceptable in society. NBA players with face tattoos are making a statement about who they are and what they believe in.
NBA players with face tattoos include Willie Cauley-Stein, Wilson Chandler, Jordan Clarkson, and Lucas Nogueira. Most of these players are young, bold, and confident, and their tattoos reflect their youthful vitality, confidence, and individualism.
In this article, I’ll look at some of the most notable players with face tattoos and explore the meaning behind their ink.
1. Willie Cauley-Stein
Before he went pro, Willie Cauley-Stein played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats and was drafted 6th overall by the Kings in the 2015 NBA draft. Today, he plays in the NBA G League for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
He has two “Xs” tattoos above his left eye dedicated to a recently deceased friend. Cauley-Stein spoke to reporters about how his friend’s death has affected him and how he’s been coping with the loss.
“Every time I look in the mirror,” Cauley-Stein said, “[Looking at that tattoo is] literally driving me to accomplish what we set out to do.”
2. Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson is an American professional basketball player born on June 7, 1992, in Tampa, Florida. He attended Karen Wagner High School in San Antonio, Texas.
The Washington Wizards drafted him in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft with the 46th overall pick. Currently, he plays for the Utah Jazz.
He’s one of the few players in the NBA to have a face tattoo. Clarkson has a tattoo that says “Love” near his left eye, which expresses his love for his family, and another tattoo that features three skulls under his chin, symbolizing toughness.
Clarkson’s other tattoos are images of family members, portraits of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle and actor Heath Ledger, and others recognizing his Filipino background.
3. Wilson Chandler
Wilson Chandler was born May 10, 1987, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA.
Playing primarily as a small forward, he has also spent time as a power forward and center. He was drafted out of DePaul University with the 23rd overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the New York Knicks.
Growing up as a kid, Chandler was inspired by Allen Iverson and rapper Tupac to get tattoos, and he has not been shy about showing them off. He even has a tattoo next to his left ear among his other body tattoos.
While Chandler’s tattoos may not be to everyone’s taste, they are undoubtedly impressive and have set him apart from other players in the league.
4. Lucas Nogueira
Lucas Nogueira, better known by his nickname “Bebe,” is a Brazilian professional basketball player for the Guelph Nighthawks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. He was born on July 26, 1992, in São Gonçalo, Brazil.
Lucas Nogueira became well-known for his face tattoos while playing for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. The most notable ones are on his face: one on each cheek and one just over his right forehead. Nogueira’s tattoos are undoubtedly eye-catching and have sparked much debate both within and outside the basketball world.