The Reason Why D'Angelo Russell Got A Muhammad Ali Tattoo Is Very Cool

Most people wouldn't link Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell and boxing legend Muhammad Ali together. The 2015 draft pick is still finding his footing in the NBA, while Ali is one of the undisputed greatest boxers of all time. So what caused Russell to get a tattoo of The Champ on his leg?

D'Angelo Russell's Ali-inspired tattoo.

Interestingly enough, Ali and Russell attended the same high school. At different times, obviously. But it's clear that Ali played an important role in Russell's life, and Ali's passing in June made the basketball star want to pay tribute to the man.

"I went to his high school and I’m from the same city, so for somebody like him to pass away, it hurts. I’m young, so when I first met him, he was struggling a little bit and I didn’t get to see him at his best. I just knew how great he was back in the day," Russell told the LA Times.

D'Angelo Russell is no stranger to tattoos.

Hopefully, Russell can put his stamp on the basketball world the same way Ali cemented his legacy in the boxing community. So far so good for the Laker standout, as he was named to the second team of the NBA's All Rookie team.