Tattoos are extremely popular in the NBA. So much so that most pro basketball players have some sort of ink on their body. However, that’s not true for everyone. In fact, there are many high-profile or well known athletes who don’t have anything at all.
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.
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A Little Ink
Tattoos have long been a form of expression both in and outside of the NBA. People who get them commonly do so to reflect a personal love or interest. Those in the league often have them as homages to their family, or as small mementos to the game they love.
However, there are many who decide to abstain from the images for various reasons. Everyone has their own choice when it comes to tattoos. Some prefer them, others don’t. While the images are extremely common in the NBA, there are a few greats who don’t have any.
10. Zion Williamson
Perhaps one of the most surprising players to abstain from ink is Zion Williamson. The Pelicans forward is one of the most high-profile and fun-to-watch players in all of the NBA. Despite his personality and style, he still has nothing on his skin.
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. That could change in the future, but only time will tell.
9. Ben Simmons
It might seem surprising to some people, but Ben Simmons is another well-known player without any tattoos. The reason that may shock some people is that he’s a stylized player who loves being in the spotlight.
Simmons has a proclivity for the flashy. Still, he’s chosen not to get anything permanent on his body for the time being.
8. Jimmy Butler
On the flip side of Simmons, it should come as no surprise that Jimmy Butler has no tattoos. The guard is anything but showy. Rather, he’s a hard working superstar who just goes out and does his job. Exactly the type of athlete who would abstain from ink.
7. Kyle Lowry
Often, franchise players get a tattoo for their team or organization. Kyle Lowry seemed like he would for a long time during his run with the Raptors, especially after their Championship run back in 2019. However, he still doesn’t have anything and likely never will.
6. Klay Thompson
Similar to Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson is a high-profile player who doesn’t have a lot of flash. He enjoys his role, likes playing the game, but is never too outspoken. That humbleness is reflected in his lack of ink. He doesn’t need any tattoos to show off his skill.
5. Joel Embiid
While he’s in the media more than Thompson or Butler, Embiid is another contained superstar. He’s never liked being in the media, nor does he want too much of a spotlight on himself. His lack of tattoos is perhaps an example of that mentality.
4. Nikola Jokic
The Joker is one of the best players in the league. However, despite his recent MVP achievements, he still has no tattoos. He hasn’t said he’s opposed to the idea, but it’s likely that he won’t be getting any at least until he finds a way to get a championship.
3. Chris Paul
Chris Paul is one of the longest-tenured players in the NBA and one of the greatest players of all time. He’s done both without getting images on his body. He played for a range of teams and never won a championship. As such, he hasn’t had anything permanent to ink just yet.
2. James Harden
James Harden is a true NBA journeyman. He’s played for several teams in his career. On top of that, he’s never won it all. Both factors could show why the superstar doesn’t have anything on his body. It could also be that he’s simply never found a need.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis is the face of the current NBA, and he does it without ink. While he has had plenty of reasons, including both an MVP and NBA championship, he’s still clean. If taking it all home wasn’t enough, it’s unlikely anything ever will be.
Final Words
While it may seem like it at times, having tattoos is not a requirement to enter the NBA. While ink is a great way for players to show off their interests, many great players don’t have anything on their body.
Having ink doesn’t make someone great, nor does it mean they aren’t as good as someone else. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice that doesn’t affect the game. It just comes down to style and personal preference.
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