As Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball returns from a six-week absence, the NBA will allow him to keep uncovered a tattoo below his left ear that previously had been considered a violation of league rules against commercial logos, sources told ESPN on Friday.
Ball can now play with the «LF» initials — short for LaFrance, his middle name and a clothing line — distinguishable to the public.
Ball had covered the tattoo with a bandage for several games before a Nov. 26 ankle sprain sidelined him until his return Friday night in San Antonio, where he emerged without the bandage in a 135-99 loss that saw him score a game-high 28 points.
The NBA, Ball, his representation at ROC Nation Sports and the players' association had several weeks of conversations early in the season about the tattoo, and Ball began covering it up prior to a Nov.