Dominican national team basketball player Karl Anthony Towns was awarded the NBA’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. Towns is the star Minnesota Timberwolves center-forward. The team is now in the playoffs of the Western Division of the NBA championship.
The annual award is given by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to honor players who are making strides in the fight for social justice. The award was created in 2021 and named after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA champion whose involvement with social issues dated back to the civil rights movement.
All 30 teams nominate one player from their roster to the award. The finalists and the winner are selected by a committee composed of NBA legends, league executives and social justice leaders.
The winner receives a US$100,000 contribution on their behalf and the other four finalists choose an organization to receive US$25,000.
Towns has been a committed advocate for voting rights, playing a pivotal role in the passage of House File 28 (Bill H.F. 28) – Minnesota’s Restore the Vote bill, a bipartisan legislation that restores the right to vote to thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals. As a leader for the Timberwolves and in the community, Towns used his platform and voice in support of the bill, shining a light on inequities within the criminal justice system. H.F. 28 was signed into law in March 2023 and it helped restore the right to vote for more than 55,000 Minnesotans.
In addition to his advocacy around Restore the Vote, Towns has also used his platform to raise awareness for other critical issues within the justice and education system. Towns dedicated his time and financial support to serve as a producer for the documentary “Forgiving Johnny,” a short film that explores how digital transformation enables change within the justice system, following the main character Johnny and his public defender, Noah Cox, as they navigate the complex legal system.
Towns also provided funding to Ava DuVernay’s film “Origin,” and encouraged young people to experience the film and engage with reading banned books. Towns is also a board member for the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition (NBSJC), an advocacy organization formed jointly by the NBA, National Basketball Players Association and the National Basketball Coaches Association in 2020 that leverages the game’s influence to promote policy, build strategic partnerships, and empower action in NBA markets across the nation.
“Karl-Anthony Towns has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing social justice through his tremendous advocacy work not only this past year, but throughout his whole career,” said Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer. “Whether it was the passage of the Restore the Vote legislation in Minnesota, his ‘Forgiving Johnny’ documentary or continued work with the Coalition, Karl’s efforts have made a true impact on the lives of thousands in Minnesota and beyond.”
Finalists for the award included Miami Heat center-forward Bam Adebayo, New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III and LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook.
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27 May 2024