Lonzo Ball is set to make a statement both on and off the court this season with a new tattoo that showcases his deep respect for influential African-American figures. The 21-year-old New Orleans Pelicans player recently revealed his new sleeve tattoo, which features stunning portraits of several trailblazers in the fight for civil rights and equality.
Tattoo artist Steve Butcher, known for his exceptional portrait work, unveiled the piece on Instagram, sharing that the tattoo, which wraps around Ball’s left arm, is 99 percent healed. The intricate design includes portraits of Civil Rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, former President Barack Obama, abolitionist Harriet Tubman, civil rights activist Rosa Parks, and baseball legend Jackie Robinson.
The tattoo’s lifelike quality is striking—so detailed that it’s almost impossible to tell it’s not real skin, a testament to Butcher’s skill. The Southern California-based artist, renowned for his work on portraits of athletes and pop culture icons, previously worked on portraits of athletes such as Randy Moss and Vince Carter, and also created the tattoo of Thanos for actor Josh Brolin.
A closer look at the Robinson portrait, which Ball shared a few weeks ago, reveals the remarkable detail of the artwork, with the bruising from the healing process now fading.
Ball first revealed the bottom half of the sleeve in June during a photo shoot with the Pelicans, showcasing the portraits of Obama, Tubman, and Parks. The tattoo was part of his first official team photo with the Pelicans.
In addition to the new sleeve, Ball has made changes to another tattoo. Back in March, he reworked a logo on his right arm that previously featured the Big Baller Brand logo after parting ways with co-founder Alan Foster. The new design now features dice with the numbers 1, 2, and 3, possibly a nod to the jersey numbers worn by him and his brothers. Below the dice, the phrase “Born 2 Ball” is inked, accompanied by a starry backdrop.
As Ball takes the court with his new look this season, his tattoos serve as both personal expression and tribute to those who paved the way for future generations.
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