LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets’ electrifying point guard, is known for his dazzling passes and fearless drives to the basket. But recently, it’s not just his on-court skills that have fans talking. Ball’s new back tattoo has taken social media by storm, and for good reason – it’s a sprawling, intricate masterpiece that’s as unique and captivating as the player himself.
This isn’t just any tattoo; it’s a bold statement etched across his entire back, showcasing a vibrant UFO, the prominent lettering “RARE ONE” in contrasting fonts, a striking alien head, and subtle crosses on his elbows. Whether you admire it or not, the sheer scale and dedication poured into this artwork are undeniable.
To truly understand the magnitude of this piece, we connected with the mastermind behind it: Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Herchell Carrasco. Carrasco, owner of Pachuco Tattoo in Orange, California, is LaMelo’s trusted tattoo artist and a veteran in the industry for 14 years. For a project of this size and complexity, Carrasco enlisted the help of five other talented artists: Jorge Garibay, Niz Carillo, Elvis Ramos, Juan Nambo, and Jonas Aguila.
In an exclusive interview, Carrasco revealed to Complex that this monumental tattoo was brought to life in just three intense six-hour sessions spread over three consecutive days. To manage the discomfort of such extensive work, they utilized No Numbing lidocaine cream. While the exact price remains confidential, Carrasco hinted at a cost of around $20,000. Interestingly, despite the recent buzz, this tattoo was actually completed weeks prior to its public unveiling.
“What Melo got done in three days takes some people years to get,” Carrasco emphasized, highlighting the accelerated and demanding nature of the project.
Carrasco’s expertise lies in large-scale, black and grey tattoos, making him the perfect artist for LaMelo’s ambitious vision. His impressive client list includes other NBA players like Kyle Kuzma, and LaMelo’s brothers, LiAngelo and Lonzo Ball. Carrasco has been the artist behind all of LaMelo’s tattoos, starting with the words “Fear” and “God” on his wrists in 2020. Since then, LaMelo’s collection has expanded to include a LaFrance “LF” logo on his neck, angel wings on his chest, and now, this extraordinary back piece, demonstrating his growing passion for body art.
“When he first started getting tattooed, he only mentioned getting a couple tattoos. But I’ll be honest, I never believed him,” Carrasco admitted, recognizing a common pattern in tattoo enthusiasts. “Everybody always says that they’re only going to get a couple tattoos and they end up covered, sometimes more covered than I am.”
Delving deeper into the creative process, Carrasco shared that LaMelo initially contacted him about four months prior with the concept. The tattoo evolved through extensive collaboration and refinement. “He throws me all his ideas and it’s a collaborative project,” Carrasco explained. “I’m really trying to give him everything that he wants, but a lot of times there’s things that really aren’t realistic or don’t work. I’ll usually give my opinion on things, but ultimately it’s his tattoo.” Carrasco created around six or seven drafts before finalizing the design.
The timeline was unexpectedly accelerated when LaMelo contacted Carrasco a month ago, ready to get inked. Carrasco quickly assembled his team and prepared for the intensive sessions. Prior to tattooing, he created large printouts of the design and mapped it onto LaMelo’s back to ensure perfect sizing and placement.
Addressing the involvement of multiple artists, Carrasco clarified that while not always typical, it was necessary due to the time constraints. “It was rare that we were all working at the same time, but we’re all there and available. I think at one point we had maybe four artists all working at the same time. But this isn’t normal. It is just because of limited time.” He prioritized completing the tattoo efficiently within LaMelo’s limited schedule, even with the aid of numbing cream, which he noted is almost essential for such extensive work.
Carrasco also revealed that the initial design was even more ambitious. “Definitely. He wanted a lot more than this and I really had to tell him like, ‘Hey Melo, this is really the max that we can do.’ I do this every day. So, sometimes [the clients] don’t know what’s doable in a certain timeframe.”
The tattoo’s theme strongly resonates with LaMelo’s personal brand and style. Carrasco explained, “One of my signature styles is the black and grey with red. He wanted to keep that theme throughout his whole body.” The “RARE” lettering is a recurring motif in LaMelo’s tattoos, reflecting his brand identity. While Carrasco might typically advise against repetition, he acknowledged LaMelo’s desire to be unique: “Melo’s the type of guy that doesn’t want what everybody has. He likes to break the rules. At the end of the day, I gave him what he wanted and he loves it. That’s really what matters.”
Initially, LaMelo considered dice as a central element, but they were ultimately replaced with the alien head, aligning with his extraterrestrial theme prevalent in his clothing line and Puma collaborations. “That’s exactly what it is. He’s just continuing the same aesthetic that he has with his clothing line,” Carrasco confirmed. “Most of the tattoos are all space themed. They have some sort of alien element to them or that scary type of font.”
When asked about the cost, Carrasco estimated it to be around $20,000, placing it on the higher end for back pieces. He clarified that his usual full back pieces, done in longer sessions and by himself, typically range from $8,000 to $10,000. The increased cost for LaMelo’s tattoo reflects the involvement of multiple artists and the expedited timeframe.
Carrasco considers settling on the design and accommodating LaMelo’s demanding schedule as the most challenging aspects of the project, rather than the tattooing itself. His favorite element is the UFO neck tattoo, strategically placed to be visible even when LaMelo is wearing his jersey. “You’re only going to be able to see the edges of the rest of it. You might see some of the new work on his arms. He threw on a jersey so we could see exactly what was going to show. So the UFO is probably one of my favorites because it’s going to be seen. It’s going to be on NBA 2K.”
LaMelo’s reaction to the finished tattoo was overwhelmingly positive. “He couldn’t stop looking at it. I was surprised. I thought he would’ve been in more pain, but I do know he was getting vitamins through IV. I actually recommended he get an IV with vitamins, and I think that really helped him out.” Carrasco noted LaMelo’s immediate excitement and eagerness to plan his next tattoos.
Addressing the social media buzz, Carrasco is unfazed by both positive and negative comments. “Anything involving the Ball brothers, it’s going to come with hate. And I think it just comes with so much traffic coming onto these posts. … The hate is part of it. I don’t take it personally. Some of these comments are funny. I know LaMelo doesn’t pay any no mind to it. So it is what it is. It’s part of the game.”
Looking ahead, Carrasco aims to continue working with the Ball family and other celebrity clients. He is also developing a TV pilot funded by TikTok, showcasing his multifaceted career in the tattoo industry. And of course, the ultimate goal remains: “I always joke about getting LaVar in the chair. I hope to tattoo him one day. That would be the ultimate. That’s the only one I need off my Ball family checklist.”
LaMelo Ball’s back tattoo is more than just ink; it’s a testament to his personality, his brand, and his commitment to self-expression. It’s a bold piece that reflects his “rare” persona and solidifies his status as a trendsetter both on and off the basketball court.
