Top 5 most tattooed NBA players of all time

Ayomikun Elemikan Featured, Sports 20/09/2023

Since inception, the NBA has witnessed most of its players graciously flaunt their tattooed bodies with splendour and confidence.

Historically, tattooing of bodies by NBA got promotion through Allen Iverson, Dennis Rodman. As of today, 70% of NBA players have tattoos on their bodies.

Chris Andersen is the most tattooed NBA player in history (Image: USA Today’s FTW)

In this piece, we look at five players who are present or former NBA players to have the most tattoos on their bodies.

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5. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant and his tattoos (Image: Bashabears Basketball and Bleacher Report)

Durant is one of the richest and most popular basketball players of his generation. He presently plays for the Brooklyn Nets and has attracted a lot of discussions over his heavily tattooed body.

The player, who turns 35 in nine days, was NBA MVP in 2014. He was also the NBA Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018. Durant can boast of two NBA titles as well.

4. Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis (Image: Getty Images via Yahoo Sports)

After 12 seasons in the NBA, Monta Ellis retired in 2017. At that time, he was with the Indiana Pacers.

With an array of drawings on his body, Ellis is one of the most tattooed NBA players you can find around. He began his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors in 2005 and was with them till 2012.

Monta Ellis with his heavily tattooed body (Image: Body Art Guru)

The 37-year-old then moved to the Milwaukee Bucks where he spent only a year. Another short spell followed with the Dallas Mavericks before he settled with the Pacers.

In 2007, Ellis won the NBA Most Improved Player award while claiming the Mr. Basketball USA in 2005.

3. Wilson Chandler

Chandler is recognized as one of the most tattooed NBA players.

Wilson Chandler (born May 10, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the NBA for a whooping 13 seasons and was well known for his time at the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks.

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Chandler is one of the most tattooed NBA players in history. He has also played in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) with Zhejiang Guangsha.

Having played college basketball for the DePaul Blue Demons for two years, Chandler declared for the 2007 NBA Draft. He won the Knicks’ first round selection.

Blessed with the ability to play both forwards roles, Chandler is listed at 6 ft 8 in. and 225 lbs.

2. J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith has varying types of tattoos on his body (Image: People.com)

Born Earl Joseph Smith III, J.R. Smith is an American ex-professional NBA player who remains one of the most tattooed NBA players of all time.

He got into the NBA from high school after being selected in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft. Having played for the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks and Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the CBA, his experience is vast.

Smith won two NBA championships, with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

1. Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen

Andersen is arguably the man with the most ink on his body of all NBA players in history.

Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen has the most tattoos of any former or present NBA player (Image: Business Insider)

His tattoos run all over his body with so many descriptions. The last NBA team he played for was the Cleveland Cavaliers following his retirement in 2017.

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Prior to that, in 2012, he won the NBA championship title with the Miami Heat.