Which NBA player has the most tattoos?

• Tattoo fashion got promoted in the NBA by Allen Iverson and Dennis Rodman. 
• NBA players use tattoos to express themselves in and outside the playing court.
• The tattoos include tribal inks, Chinese symbols, motivational phrases and nicknames. 

Some of the most tattooed NBA players include Chris Anderson, Andrea Kirilenko, Monta Ellis and the legendary Kobe Bryant.

Tattoo fashion got promoted in the NBA by Allen Iverson and Dennis Rodman. As of 2022, nearly 70% of the players in the NBA have tattoos, according to Sporty Tell.

The most tattooed NBA players. Photo/ Fadeaway World.

Tattoos allow NBA players to express themselves inside and outside the playing court. These tattoos tell a personal story, from arm sleeves to Chinese symbols, tribal inks, portraits, nicknames or motivational phrases.

Here, we will list the most tattooed NBA players.

1. Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen 

Chris Andersen is definitely the most tattooed NBA player of all time. The American international has tattoos covering 75% of his body.

Anything you can think of is etched in Birdman’s body – skulls, swords, stars, numbers, phoenix wings, birds, dice, crosses and even Chinese symbols.

The most notable tattoo on Chris Andersen’s body is his eye-catching mohawk hairstyle with two skulls at the back of his head.

Chris Andersen played for the Denver Nuggets, New Orlean Hornets, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA.

Chris Andersen tattoos. Photo/ sportmedical.fi.

The 44-year-old is now playing in the Big3 league for Power.

2. J R Smith 

J R Smith got his first tattoo when he was 15 years old. He has since become one of the most tattooed NBA players of all time.

During an interview with The New York Times in 2012, Smith lost count of the number of tattoos on his body.

Some of the symbols on his body include diamonds, stars, crosses, floral designs, Egyptian monuments, portraits and Egyptian monuments.

The 37-year-old played for the New Orleans Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.

J R Smith tattoos. Photo/ GQ.

3. Kevin Durant 

Kevin Durant kept his tattoos hidden for a long time. He has tattoos on his chest, back, legs and abdomen, speaking messages about his religion, family, gratitude and respect.

Since Durant identified himself with Tupac Shakur’s mindset and beliefs, he has the singer’s portrait etched on his left leg. The tattoos that stand out on his body are the portrait of Jesus, an angel holding a basketball and the full James 1:2-4 psalm.

But Kevin Durant, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players in history, has more under his jersey than just great dunks and amazing tats. He has also recently taken on the mantle as brand ambassador for the sports betting powerhouse Fanduel.

Durant has been seen flashing his ink while promoting the Fanduel bonus, along with the many other features and functions that the sportsbook has to offer to its clientele in states where the betting site is licensed to operate.

4. Monta Ellis 

By the time Monta Ellis retired in 2017, he had spent 12 seasons in the NBA. Apart from being one of the best basketball players, Monta Ellis is one of the most tattooed NBA players.

The legend has used his body to showcase the deep love he has for his family and basketball. Ellis had a logo of the Golden State Warriors etched on his back as a homage.

5. Wilson Chandler 

Wilson Chandler played in the NBA for the New York Knicks, Philadephia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets.

Chandler has plenty of tattoos on his body.

6. Kenyon Martin 

Kenyon Martin has over 20 tattoos, including his son’s face, stars, a big cross, Chinese symbols and several texts.

Martin tattooed his girlfriend’s lips on his neck. He later turned it into a strange red and brown crown after the relationship came to an end.

7. DeShawn Stevenson

DeShawn Stevenson has 34 tattoos covering his body. The tattoos include religious symbols, important names and portraits of his sons.

The legend played in the NBA for

8. Andrei Kirilenko

Unlike the other players on our list, Andrei Kirilenko does not have numerous tattoos. He only has one tattoo, which is fully covering his back and represents a warrior riding on a dragon’s back.

Andrei Kirilenko. Photo/ TOTALSPORTAL.

Kirilenko spent the majority of his playing days in the Russian League. In the NBA, he played for Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets.

9. Chris Bosh 

Chris Bosh’s back is covered with tattoos representing an eagle, tree branches, musical notes and a lady clutching a skull.

10. Kobe Bryant 

Kobe Bryant is undoubtedly one of the greatest NBA players of all time. With great inks on his body, he is also among the most tattooed NBA players of all time.

Bryant tattooed his wife’s name on his right arm alongside a pair of angel wings and the words Psalm XXVII.