When multi-time NBA All-Star and champion Anthony Davis steps onto the basketball court, his physical presence is immediately commanding.
Beyond his elite defensive timing, fluid footwork, and scoring prowess, viewers and sports commentators regularly notice a visual element that sits front and center whenever he shoots, blocks a shot, or secures a rebound: the detailed body art covering his right arm.
Body art within professional basketball has long served as a powerful medium for self-expression, identity, and personal history.
For Anthony Davis, the ink etched into his skin is far from random decoration. His right arm represents a carefully constructed canvas—a visual timeline of family devotion, spiritual grounding, and deep pride in where he came from.
If you have ever watched a game and wondered what each individual piece on his arm signifies, who is featured in the shoulder portrait, or what the inscriptions near his wrist mean, this comprehensive guide provides an in-depth breakdown of every documented element of Anthony Davis’s right arm sleeve.
1: The Shoulder & Bicep Centerpiece — Memorializing Lamont Eberhardt
The most prominent visual feature on Anthony Davis’s right arm is situated high on his shoulder and upper bicep. Positioned prominently where it is visible from almost any camera angle, this piece serves as the anchor for his entire right arm layout.
[ Upper Shoulder & Bicep ]
Portrait of Lamont Eberhardt (Grandfather)
Encircling Words: "Rest Up Champ"
The Portrait of His Grandfather
At the center of this upper arm piece is a detailed portrait of Anthony Davis’s late maternal grandfather, Lamont Eberhardt. The portrait depicts Eberhardt with a warm, memorable smile, capturing a moment of joy and warmth rather than grief.
Grandparents often play pivotal roles in shaping the values and character of elite athletes, providing foundational guidance long before global stardom enters the equation.
For Davis, placing his grandfather’s image on his shooting shoulder ensures that Eberhardt remains a constant presence throughout his career and daily life.
The Inscription: “Rest Up Champ”
Encircling the portrait of Lamont Eberhardt are the words “Rest Up Champ”.
- The Title of Respect: Referring to his grandfather as “Champ” reflects both personal admiration and a recognition of the strength and wisdom Eberhardt embodied.
- The Message: The phrasing “Rest Up” offers a peaceful tribute, signaling love, remembrance, and perpetual honor.
- On-Court Significance: Every time Davis raises his right arm to execute a jump shot or extend for a block, he carries this memorial with him, turning each play into an implicit nod to his family roots.
2: The Inner Forearm — Faith, Devotion, and Eternal Remembrance
As you move down to the inner portion of his right forearm, the narrative transitions from family lineage to personal spirituality and spiritual reflection.
The Central Cross and Praying Hands
The focal point of the inner forearm features a large cross combined with classic praying hands.
In high-stakes professional sports, personal faith frequently serves as an essential anchor, providing balance, mental clarity, and resilience through the highs of championship victories and the lows of injuries or tough losses. For Davis, displaying these faith-based symbols on the inside of his forearm keeps his core beliefs close at hand.
Celestial and Symbolic Accompanying Elements
Surrounding the central cross and praying hands are three distinct symbolic elements:
- Stars: Classically representing direction, ambition, guidance, and striving for excellence amidst adversity.
- Doves: Universally recognized symbols of peace, purity, spiritual grace, and the transition of the soul.
- The “RIP” Inscription: A direct acronym for “Rest In Peace,” tying the spiritual elements back to the memory of departed family members and close loved ones.
By combining the cross, praying hands, stars, doves, and “RIP” lettering into a single, unified composition, Davis turns his inner forearm into a quiet sanctuary of faith and remembrance amidst the high-energy noise of arena sports.
3: The Back of the Arm — Hometown Heritage in Chicago
While the front and inside of his arm focus on family and faith, the back side of Anthony Davis’s right arm pays homage to the environment that built his work ethic and basketball identity.
The “Chicago” Script Lettering
Etched onto the back portion of his right arm is the word “Chicago”, rendered in elegant script lettering.
- Origins and Identity: Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Davis attended Perspectives Charter School, where his extraordinary growth spurt and raw talent transformed him from a little-known prospect into the top-ranked high school player in the nation.
- Basketball Legacy: Chicago has one of the richest, most competitive basketball cultures in the world, producing legendary players known for toughness, court IQ, and grit.
- Carrying the City: By tattooing his hometown’s name on his arm, Davis acknowledges the city that shaped him, ensuring that no matter where his professional career takes him—from Kentucky to New Orleans to Los Angeles—he remains firmly tied to his roots.
4: The Wrist Inscriptions — Immediate Family and Personal Identity
Positioned near his right wrist are precise lettering pieces that connect directly to his identity and his immediate household.
The “NALA” Inscription
Near the base of his wrist, the name “NALA” is delicately inscribed. Inscriptions placed near the hands or wrists are often reserved for those closest to an individual’s heart, serving as daily visual touchpoints.
The “AD” Moniker and Tribute to Anthony Davis Sr.
Accompanying the name near his wrist are the bold letters “AD”. This piece carries a meaningful dual significance:
- Personal Identity: “AD” is the universally recognized nickname and monogram used by teammates, fans, and media throughout Davis’s basketball career.
- Homage to Anthony Davis Sr.: Beyond his own initials, “AD” is a direct tribute to his father, Anthony Davis Sr., who played a vital role in his development, training, and character formation from childhood through his rise to NBA prominence.
Placing these names and initials at the wrist—the very extremity used to pass, shoot, and celebrate on the court—reinforces that his family remains the driving force behind his performance.
5: Structural Summary of Anthony Davis’s Right Arm Ink
To provide a clear, section-by-section breakdown of the entire right arm sleeve, the table below outlines each placement, design feature, and underlying meaning:
| Arm Location | Visual Element & Inscription | Primary Theme & Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Right Shoulder & Bicep | Portrait of Lamont Eberhardt with “Rest Up Champ” | Memorial tribute to his late maternal grandfather |
| Back of Right Arm | “Chicago” in script lettering | Pride in his hometown and basketball origins |
| Inner Right Forearm | Large Cross, Praying Hands, Stars, Doves, and “RIP” | Personal faith, spiritual protection, and honoring lost loved ones |
| Right Wrist Area | “NALA” and “AD” lettering | Connection to immediate family and tribute to his father, Anthony Davis Sr. |
7: Final Insights into Anthony Davis’s Body Art Narrative
Athlete body art often serves as a living gallery of an individual’s personal journey, values, and triumphs. For Anthony Davis, his right arm is a cohesive narrative canvas rather than a collection of random tattoos.
By blending:
- Generational respect (Lamont Eberhardt portrait and “Rest Up Champ”),
- Paternal gratitude (the “AD” tribute for Anthony Davis Sr.),
- Personal faith (the inner forearm cross, praying hands, and doves), and
- Hometown identity (the “Chicago” script),
Davis has transformed his shooting arm into a personal monument. Every time he stepped onto the court during his collegiate championship run or throughout his decorated NBA career, those meaningful inscriptions and portraits have moved with him—a constant reminder of who he is, where he came from, and who he represents every time he plays.
