Jordan Clarkson of the NBA wasn’t always a canvas of vibrant ink. Just a year prior, his skin was untouched, a blank slate as he played for the Los Angeles Lakers. Fast forward to today, and the Cleveland Cavaliers guard is adorned with a collection of tattoos, each telling a unique story.
His transformation into a walking mural began somewhat recently, but the impact is undeniable. Let’s delve into the meanings behind some of Clarkson’s striking body art, exploring the personal narratives etched onto his skin.
One of the most prominent pieces is on his left shoulder: a heartwarming tribute to his younger brother, Bear. This tattoo captures Bear as a child, face beaming, dressed in a Superman costume – a testament to brotherly love and admiration.
Jordan Clarkson's shoulder tattoo featuring his brother Bear in a Superman costume
Moving to his right triceps, you’ll find a depiction of an El Dorado, a classic car known as a “slab,” with its trunk open and the words “Welcome to Texas.” This piece, still in progress, is an homage to his San Antonio roots, a nod to his hometown pride.
Jordan Clarkson's El Dorado "slab" tattoo on his right triceps, representing his Texas roots
The back of his right arm carries a more somber, yet deeply meaningful memorial. It’s dedicated to Cameron Moore, a close friend who tragically passed away while playing basketball in Eastern Europe in 2016. This tattoo serves as a permanent reminder of friendship and loss.
Jordan Clarkson's memorial tattoo for his friend Cameron Moore on his right arm
Family is clearly a central theme in Clarkson’s tattoos. His left biceps showcases a portrait of his father, Mike, affectionately nicknamed “Head Huncho.” On a slightly different note, his right forearm features a stuffed bear with a somewhat unsettling detail – its eyes ripped out, the meaning of which remains personal to Clarkson.
Jordan Clarkson's tattoo of his father, Mike "Head Huncho," on his left biceps
These are just a glimpse into Clarkson’s growing collection. He himself admits to losing count, with most of his ink acquired in 2018, particularly after the Cavaliers’ Finals loss in June. It’s estimated he might have spent around $20,000 on tattoos in this short period.
So, what sparked this sudden transformation? Clarkson explains it simply: a lifelong desire combined with the time and resources to pursue it properly. For him, each tattoo is an experience, a story etched in ink. “Once I got my first tattoo I was like, this is what I want to do,” he stated, emphasizing his newfound passion.
Jordan Clarkson on the court, showcasing some of his arm tattoos during a game
While Clarkson is rapidly accumulating tattoos, he still has ground to cover to rival NBA veterans like JR Smith in terms of body art coverage. However, he’s embracing his inked look, and notably, leading the Cavaliers in scoring during what was described as a challenging season for the team.
Clarkson’s tattoo journey began with his first piece on February 1st, while in New York with the Lakers. However, his artistic inclinations stretch back much further. He’s always enjoyed drawing, a hobby he continues in both Cleveland and Los Angeles. He even jokingly calls art his favorite subject in high school, as it was the class he least disliked.
This artistic background explains his initial hesitation towards tattoos. He didn’t want “stupid tattoos, bad quality.” Finding skilled artists capable of bringing his visions to life was crucial and time-consuming.
Interestingly, his connection to Kendall Jenner, whom he dated, led him to tattoo artist Jonathan Valena, also known as “JonBoy.” JonBoy is renowned for his celebrity clientele and specializes in smaller, delicate tattoos. Clarkson started small, opting for his family initials on his left wrist as his first foray into the world of ink.
“The first one didn’t hurt too bad, but these bigger ones, if anyone is saying they don’t hurt, they’re lying,” Clarkson honestly admits, acknowledging the pain involved in his more extensive pieces.
A close-up shot of Jordan Clarkson getting a tattoo, highlighting the process and artistry
He fondly remembers his first tattoo experience – the camaraderie with friends, the conversation and laughter shared with JonBoy. However, as his tattoo ambitions grew and sessions became longer and more solitary, Clarkson found a new companion: books.
During lengthy tattoo sessions, he immersed himself in literature, including Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist,” “Anatomy of Peace,” and “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck.” “’The Alchemist,’ I read that shit twice,” he remarked, highlighting the book’s impact and its ability to help him “zone out” during the tattooing process.
His teammate LeBron James, a fellow reader of “The Alchemist,” indirectly guided Clarkson towards another key figure in his tattoo journey: Jimmy Hayden of Cleveland’s Focused Tattoo. Hayden is a popular artist among the Cavaliers, known for his work on LeBron, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Kyrie Irving.
Hayden recognizes Clarkson’s exceptional dedication to tattoos. “In my 20 years of doing this, every now and then I come across someone who has an accelerated sense of commitment to getting tattoos. Jordan’s on a different level,” Hayden observed, praising Clarkson’s vision and commitment to quality.
Clarkson’s discerning taste extends to his choice of artists, including JonBoy, Raphael Valdez in Los Angeles (known for tattooing celebrities like Chris Brown and Nick Young), and Hayden. These artists, while commanding higher prices, offer the skill and experience Clarkson seeks. His current NBA contract allows him to invest significantly in his passion for body art.
Jimmy Hayden working on a tattoo for Jordan Clarkson, showcasing the artist behind the ink
Currently, Clarkson is working on a striking neck tattoo that will cascade down his chest. This piece features roses with roots, and at the base of the roots, a tribute to his grandmother and great-grandmother. This upcoming tattoo emphasizes the importance of family and heritage in Clarkson’s life, placing his lineage close to his heart. While the article doesn’t explicitly mention a stomach tattoo, this chest piece, featuring his grandmother, resonates with the theme of honoring family through body art.
Hayden sees tattoos as “jewelry that never goes away,” a form of self-expression and a marker of personal success. Clarkson, while considering leaving his stomach area untouched for now, plans to continue adding to his tattoo collection on his legs and back.
Despite his rapid accumulation of ink, JR Smith remains the Cavaliers’ body art leader, especially if Clarkson refrains from tattooing his stomach. However, Clarkson has already earned Smith’s respect in terms of “swag,” encompassing his style and confidence, including his body art. Smith acknowledged Clarkson’s fashion sense and overall “swaggy” demeanor, solidifying Clarkson’s place as a style icon within the team.
(Top photo: Kent Smith / Getty Images)
