Tattoos can tell deeply personal stories and some of the men’s basketball players wear their stories on their sleeves.

For these men, the tattoos are more than just cool designs — they are symbols of love and respect. Common themes are family and faith.

When he’s on the court, senior Chadrack Lufile keeps his tattoos in mind to remind him of why he’s there.

“When I’m dribbling the ball, I just touch my arm, and it motivates me, reminds me of what my family’s been through and everything in my religion, just to stay strong,” Lufile said. “I just [got to] keep that in my head every time I’m on the court, in class, wherever.”

Senior Nick Wiggins is sure about his faith and his passion. On his arm, he sports a basketball wearing a crown of thorns to remind himself of the power of God.

“Throughout my career, I just walk by faith, not by sight,” Wiggins said. “I go with what my mind tells me to do, and nothing can stop me.”

He also keeps his mother by his side at all times.

“She’s my guardian angel, her eyes watching over me with the rose,” he said.

Senior Cleanthony Early feels similarly about his art. He feels it is important to decorate his body with what he believes in.

“Your body is a temple, the church decorates theirs,” Early said. “It’s all right here for you to look at.”

Early is open with following his faith deeply, and tattoos are one way he does it.

“They say you should protect yourself in the armor of God,” he said. “This is my armor.”

These players aren’t done with their body art. Lufile said he plans on getting more tattoos, but will wait it out to see what comes up next.

“It’s my senior year, my last year,” Lufile said. “I’m just waiting for my next big piece to come through . . . It’s basically like a life story, and my chapter’s not done yet.”