CHARLESTON, S.C. — Jalen Slawson wears his heart on his sleeve. After years of hard work, the NBA Draft night felt like a dream come true, but for him, it’s just the beginning.
“I want to keep working hard, and I hope more people will see the name Slawson on the back of my jersey for as long as I play professional basketball,” says Jalen Slawson, a native of Summerville and a Pinewood Prep graduate, who was selected by the Sacramento Kings a year ago.
To a player, the basketball jersey represents who they are. Slawson has worn many jerseys, including an NBA one.
“Hearing my name called was a dream come true,” he says. “I wouldn’t trade my story for anything.”
But Slawson’s true story is more than just basketball. It’s about honoring those who helped him along the way.
“Basketball is a big part of my family story,” he says. “I love tattoos, work, and my family. Everyone knows how important family is to me. There’s no better way to pay tribute to my family than by tattooing their jerseys on me.”
Sacramento tattoo artist Angelo Madrigal brought Slawson’s vision to life.
“My cousin, RJ, played at South Carolina,” Slawson says. “This is me at Pinewood, and my nephew, Jonathan, currently plays there and wears my old jersey. Fort Dorchester is my brother, Brandon. The Citadel one up top is for my dad.”
As he names each person, Slawson explains the mural of jerseys inked on his arm. Life is shaped by those you spend it with. One jersey, in particular, holds special significance.
“The most important one to me is for a very close friend, Darrian George, who passed away in a car wreck while in high school at Fort Dorchester,” Slawson says. “His jersey is red, while the others are black and white.”
Slawson’s tattoos also reflect his connection to his city. A sketch of Emanuel AME Church is on the other side of his arm.
“I remember how close the city got after the shooting,” he says. “I did a presentation on it in college and was downtown when it happened.”