Drake covered up LeBron James tattoo with Canadian basketball player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s jersey 👀

Drake Covers Up LeBron James Tattoo with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Tribute — A Bold Statement in Ink and Allegiance

In a move that’s turning heads across the sports and music world, global superstar Drake has made a bold and deeply symbolic change to his body art — covering up his tattoo of NBA legend LeBron James with an image paying tribute to rising Canadian basketball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Known for wearing his heart — and his heroes — on his sleeve (quite literally), Drake has long shown love for the athletes who inspire him. For years, his tattoo of LeBron’s jersey number “23” served as a tribute to the four-time NBA champion and close friend. But now, that iconic ink has been replaced — or rather reimagined — with something even closer to home: SGA in his Team Canada jersey, complete with signature braids and his unmistakable calm intensity.

Sources close to Drake say the tattoo update isn’t a dis to LeBron, but rather a signal of changing times and a rising generation of talent. And most importantly, it’s a full-circle celebration of Canadian excellence.

“Drake has always repped his city and his country,” a source told The Athletic. “This was his way of honoring the next wave — a homegrown star who’s not just putting up numbers, but putting Canada on his back in a whole new way.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has blossomed into a legitimate MVP candidate with the Oklahoma City Thunder, has become a national icon in his own right. His recent performances for Team Canada — including a historic showing at the FIBA World Cup — have earned him comparisons to international greats and stirred real excitement about the future of Canadian basketball.

The new tattoo, which shows SGA mid-dribble in red-and-white Team Canada gear, was revealed subtly in a photo posted to Drake’s Instagram Stories. Fans quickly noticed the absence of LeBron’s jersey number — and the presence of a new king in town. The post was captioned simply: “Homegrown. Next up.”

Social media erupted with speculation and debate. Some fans questioned whether this meant a cooling of the once-close bond between Drake and LeBron, who’ve often been spotted courtside together and even collaborated on projects like The Shop. But others saw it for what it is — a powerful passing of the torch.

“Drake just did what Canada’s been feeling for a minute,” one fan tweeted. “SGA is HIM. Respect to Bron, but this is Shai’s time.”

Drake’s love for basketball is well-documented, from his official ambassador role with the Toronto Raptors to his involvement in Summer League and his courtside antics during the NBA Playoffs. But this inked update marks a cultural moment: the moment Canada’s biggest music icon crowned its brightest basketball star.

Whether symbolic, personal, or a little of both, Drake’s tattoo transformation sends a loud and clear message — the future of hoops doesn’t just belong to the U.S. anymore. It belongs to players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Canada is ready to lead.