What’s one thing that most NBA players do when reaching a milestone in life? Get a tattoo. Why not? After all, it’s a proud and permanent reminder of a certain phase or achievement. Like a timestamp, but on the skin—and more painful. With that in mind, today is Deandre Ayton tattoos season.
Pretty soon, Deandre Ayton will reach greater heights in his young career. It’s no secret that he’s one of the most promising big men in the NBA. In just two years, he’s already averaging a double-double for the Phoenix Suns with 17.0 PPG and 10.7 RPG, while shooting 57.0% from the field.
He’s expected to hit a bigger payday when his rookie contract is up. So maybe he’ll get a new ink to commemorate that. He has a wide body so there’s plenty of canvass space.
But as of now, the 2018 no. 1 overall pick only has two tattoos.
Deandre Ayton tattoos
Lion head with wings
Ayton has this huge tattoo across his chest. The lion has a doorknob on his mouth as if saying “Enter at your own risk.” In an interview with Fox Sports Arizona, he said there’s a pretty simple reason behind it. Being born on July 23, 1998, his zodiac sign is Leo. Hence, a lion. He added: “I take that pretty seriously, being king-like. I’m a lion, I’m dominant.”
That truly reflects his game as he’s also a beast on the floor since his college days at Arizona. He can devour other big men with his strength and tenacity. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 11.6 RPG on an eye-popping 61.2% FG shooting in his lone season with the Wildcats, earning him the Pac-12 Player of the Year trophy.
He brought that same dominant mentality once he stepped foot in the NBA. He tallied 39 double-doubles to break Alvan Adams’ record for most double-doubles by a newcomer in Suns history. He ended his rookie year with averages of 16.3 PPG and 10.3 RPG.
Ayton got suspended for the first 25 games in his second year for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. But when he returned, he didn’t waste any time being king-like once again. He put up 26 points and snared a career-high 21 rebounds in a win over the New York Knicks last January, becoming the first Suns player since Steve Nash to tally a 20-20 game. He upped his averages to 18.2 PPG and 11.5 RPG in only 38 games.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
The 22-year-old has this tattooed on his right arm. In that same interview with Fox Sports Arizona, he said it’s his mom’s favorite Bible scripture. He added he treats his mom like a rose so there’s one beneath the text.
Suns fans know that Ayton is really close to his mother, Andrea. She is from Jamaica but moved to the Bahamas, where she gave birth to his son on the tiny island of Nassau. They both moved to Arizona in 2015 when Ayton transferred to Hillcrest Prep Academy, where he became teammates with 2018 no. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley. The decision to relocate proved to be instrumental as Ayton was able to really focus on his hoops career.
Her mom, however, got embroiled in controversy in March of last year after she was accused of getting cash payments from Nike during Ayton’s amateur days. They have both denied the allegation and the issue seems to have been forgotten.
After signing his rookie contract with the Suns, Ayton bought a house for his mother in Arizona as gratitude for all her sacrifices. He told ESPN: “You can’t repay her for what she’s done for you, but I’m trying. Trying to keep her as comfortable as possible.” Now, that is one good kid.
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