Do basketball players wear eye black?’’ This is the same question that I once asked my dad. As he is a basketball enthusiast, he shared with me some interesting stuff about this query from his experience so far as a hard-core fan.
He told me that basketball players don’t usually wear eye black as it isn’t mandatory for them. Though many prominent players took this as a token of fashion and a way of showcasing their identity. Later, other players also adopted this by following the fruit principle of those legends.
But I need to verify what I have heard. As I always do. You can call it a bad habit also. So, I go through some more queries. And then I found everything about, “Do basketball players wear eye black?
And so, here I am here to share with you the most authentic answer to your exceptional question. So, are we waiting here? Let’s find out the answer right here below this intro.
Do Basketball Players Wear Eye Black?
The answer to the question “Do basketball players wear Eye black’’ is “NO’’ they don’t. As basketball is an indoor game, basketball players don’t usually use eye black during their games.
Generally, players use eye black for outdoor games to reduce glare by absorbing the sunlight, stadium flood light, or any kind of bright light.
Though there are a few exceptions, some players have broken this indoor-outdoor barrier and wear eye black as superstition or personal preference.
What is Illegal Eye Black?
Illegal eyeball means using the eye black in a wrong way that violates the rules of a particular league or sport. Want an example? Okay, NCCA doesn’t allow the use of eye black that contains any messages or symbols.
And if we talk about general matters, then eye black is not illegal stuff, and in terms of basketball, there are no such specific rules that say eye black is illegal.
To have a clearer idea, take a look at the following reasons that can make eye black illegal:
- If the eye black is not black.
- Contains words or any kind of symbols
- If they are placed in a way that may not protect the eye from the glare.
Does Eye Black Actually Work?
Yes, it really does. Even it’s scientifically proven. We all know the fact that the color black absorbs the maximum amount of light. And as eye black is a grease or strip that players usually apply under their eyes, it absorbs the glare of lights more than their skin tone.
In the year of 2003, a study by Brian DeBroff and Patricia Pahk says that the eye black reduces the glare of the sun whereas other chemicals like petroleum jelly and commercial anti-glare stickers fail to do that.
And during this study, they took some players and divided them into three groups. Each group used different substances like petroleum jelly, commercial anti-glare stickers, and eye black and let them play
The result shows that the group who used the eye black successfully protected themselves from the glare of the sun and improved contrast sensitivity.
In contrast, there are also some records where it doesn’t perform well. One such study is the Mythbusters test. Where the result came different. In this study, the Mythbusters found that the eye black failed to eliminate glare.
But it did improve the player’s ability to differentiate between light and dark and let them track moving objects in a sunny atmosphere accurately.
So, it does somehow help the player to improve their gaming experience. And this is why it’s a popular choice for most of the players.
Who Wore Eye Black First?
The legend of baseball Babe Ruth is the one who used eye black for the first time in the 1930s. In basketball, LeBron James is known for wearing eye black during games.
In the 1940s, using eye black became one kind of trend. Baseball players started to use this in major leagues. And later they observed its potential to reduce glare for real. From then till now, not only baseball players but also basketball and other players from different sports are using eye black.
However, this is common for the outside game. But again, I’m telling you that basketball layes use this for their personal choice and some aesthetic reasons.
Practical Use of Eye Black in Basketball
You might have seen that many basketball players on the court and fans in the gallery paint their faces with black stuff. Why? Because not only does it look good, but also serves a strategic purpose.
So, What is the practicality behind using eye black in basketball? Let’s find it below:
- This helps the players perform perfectly and lets the fans enjoy the game to the next level by ignoring the bright lights indoors.
- Players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul use eye black in their games to be more focused by avoiding the distractions of the bright lights.
- It is considered a secret weapon because it gives confidence to the players.
Fashion vs. Functionality of Eye Black
As we know, eye black is a cosmetic substance that players apply around their eyes in various sports to reduce the glare of bright lights; nowadays, it has become a fashion trend. How? Dig deeper to know better.
From Functionality to Fashion
In the inception, eye black was used as a functional tool to enhance athletic performance. But over time, it became a fashion trend. And it happened for the fans. They adopted it on behalf of love for their favorite player, colored their faces with it, and went to the ground to support. From one fan to another, it became a trend.
And basketball may be the one that helps eye black to flourish as it isn’t just a game. It’s a fashion statement. It sets the trend for the Gen-Z. However, it’s just a theory. But it is what it is.
Designs that Made Eye Black Fashionable
At first, players used to dye their faces with just black substance, and there was nothing interesting in it. But again, as time passed, players took it as a way of tier individuality.
So, they started using different designs. That helps players not only showcase their uniqueness but also save themselves from those bright lights to perform flawlessly.
Designs like simple streaks, animal prints, geometric shapes, and even team logos that players started to use to color their faces and changed the game of using the eye black.
Cultural Significance
It has gone far away from functionality and fashion. Because for some sports like basketball, where there is no requirement to use eye black, they started to use it just to put statements on a variety of social issues like awareness about racial injustice sometimes or to symbolize their wild dominative characteristics on the court.
FAQs
Q1: Do any indoor players wear eye black during games?
A: The answer is no. In general, indoor players don’t use eye black during their games. Anyway, there have always been some exceptions. Some players, even in indoor games, do wear it for personal reasons or superstitions.
Q2: Is eye black considered illegal in basketball?
A: No eye black isn’t considered illegal in basketball games. However, there are some ground rules for using eye black. Specific leagues, such as the NCCA, have some regulations for eye black. They strictly prohibited the eye black that contains any symbols or messages.
Q3: How has the use of eye black evolved in basketball?
A: In basketball, when players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and many more prominent players started using the eye black, it gained popularity among the other players and fans. And when they started using it with customized designs to showcase their identity this stuff reached the paramount. It spread like a flood and remained till now.
Q4: Is eye black safe for the skin?
A: Yes! It is safe for your skin. As it’s made from materials like beeswax, paraffin, and carbon they are all suitable ingredients for your skin around the eyes. These materials are scientifically non-toxic, and it’s scientifically proven. But it’s better to check the specific product for any warnings or allergens if you have sensitive skin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope you’ve got your desired answer to the query, “Do basketball players wear eye black” or not. And to justify the answer, we have walked together through the aisle of knowing the legality of eye black to its functionality and fashion.
In this article, we have learned that many basketball players wear eye black. And some of them wear it for their personal preferences, and some of them wear it for having advantages in the game by ignoring those bright indoor lights.
So, if you want real-time experience, why don’t you wear eye black and enjoy a match in the basketball gallery? And don’t forget to let me know how you feel there.