TL;DR
LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets star, showcases a variety of meaningful and expensive tattoos that reflect his personal messages and artistic expression. His extensive body art contributes to his unique presence on the NBA court.
Inside LaMelo Ball's epic tattoos: Hornets star features meaning, message with expensive tats all over body originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Each time LaMelo Ball takes to the NBA court, he's a work of art.
That's not a philosophical statement, but reality. He's covered in so many tattoos that have lots of meanings and messages behind their expensive, colorful existence.
Ball is a star for the Charlotte Hornets and has been a well-known hooper since high school.
These days, he plays for one of the league's trendiest teams, an offensive juggernaut that in large part goes as 'Melo goes.
And wherever Ball goes, he brings with him an array of awesome ink.
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LaMelo Ball's tattoos, explained
What are his most well-known tattoos?
Maybe Ball's most epic tattoo is an immense piece across his back.
Across the top, it spells out "RARE ONE." It also features a UFO appearing to beam down an alien, and beneath it includes "1 OF 1."
Clearly, Ball is embracing his individuality.
Across LaMelo's chest, he features a bunch of spiritual imagery.
There's a cross at the base of his neck, with the words "God's Soldier" beneath that.
He also features the number '1' with angel wings coming out of it and a halo above it.
Below that are the words, "Chosen One."
Ball then has very colorful arm sleeves.
There are a lot of intricate details across the arms, including more spiritual imagery. There is also the word "BE" on his right arm and "YOU" on his left arm.
There are skulls and planets and more aliens, too.
What do LaMelo's tattoos mean?
With so many tattoos, there are a lot of individual meanings.
But interpreting many of them point to the fact that Ball views himself as a unique person, his own man, someone no one else can match.
He also ties in his faith to a number of the tattoos, a common theme for many athletes who want to represent their beliefs on the court.
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What do the tattoos cost?
There's a reported cost for the back tattoo: $20,000.
That figure was reported by Complex. The numerous other ink surely adds up in a hurry, too.
Why does LaMelo Ball have so many tattoos?
In a word: expression.
Ball has never been shy about showing the world who he is.
And without even saying a word, the ink on his body can speak volumes.
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