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Home » The growing NBA tattoo culture has created a new kind of influencer

The growing NBA tattoo culture has created a new kind of influencer

written by Leah Smelish, CNN

On any given night, NBA games are a competition between the best basketball professionals in the world. But increasingly, tracks are not only stages for athletes to showcase their physical prowess, but have also become showcases for some of the coolest and most interesting tattoos.

From long sleeves to intricate face tattoos, the NBA has become a hub not only for world-class basketball, but also for body art, showcasing some of the latest trends in the world of tattooing.

“When I see someone get a tattoo on their face like Jordan Clarkson, I know I’m going to get a lot of tattoos on my face,” said Herchal Carrasco of Pachuco Tattoo in California.

Jordan Clarkson's face tattoo may inspire other athletes to get similar ink.

Jordan Clarkson’s face tattoo may inspire other athletes to get similar ink. Credit: Logan Riley/NBAE/Getty Images

Carrasco has been tattooing for more than a decade, but began tattooing NBA players in 2017. Now, she’s the artist behind some of the league’s most recognizable inks, such as work on Kyle Kuzma, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Ingram.

Carrasco told CNN that LeAngelo Ball, who currently plays in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm, was coming in with a tattoo on his neck. Now that Clarkson has gotten her face done, Carrasco said it could be pressure for other players to get more ink on her face or neck.

“Athletes are … business people,” Carrasco said, explaining that he didn’t think most would get big tattoos on their faces. Aaron Carter. “But I see subtle facial tattoos becoming a trend in the near future.”
Mike Scott has a series of emoji tattoos on both arms, one of the league's most eclectic pieces.

Mike Scott has a series of emoji tattoos on both arms, one of the league’s most eclectic pieces. Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

And indeed, weeks after Clarkson released his fresh face ink, the Washington Wizards’ Kuzma revealed a delicate script behind his ear that read, “Be like water, my friend.”

It wasn’t always like this. A look at the picture of the 1992 US basketball “Dream Team,” which won gold at the Olympics and featured the talents of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Scottie Pippen, to name a few, if any. Will reveal visible tattoos. Big pieces alone.

But the story of the team playing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was different. Between Damian Lillard, whose forearms are covered in ink, and Jayson Tatum, whose back tattoo is visible on his shirt shoulder, it was common for players to get tattoos.

Damian Lillard, who played for the United States in the Tokyo Olympics, has sleeves on both arms that are a far cry from players of the past.

Damian Lillard, who played for the United States in the Tokyo Olympics, has sleeves on both arms that are a far cry from players of the past. Credit: Ares Messines/AFP/Getty Images

Part of the culture shift in the NBA has been a result of larger changes in the United States, as tattoos have become more common. While it’s hard to know exactly how many people have tattoos, a 2019 survey by market research firm Ipsos found that three in 10 people in the U.S. have at least one tattoo.

And as their popularity grows, more people are paying attention to the quality of the ink…

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