Carmelo Anthony won the first Kareem Abdul-Jabbar award for social justice for his dedication last year to promoting and empowering equality for all people, a goal that has spent years pursuing the legendary interior of the Lakers and Bucks that gives the award its name.
The award, created by the NBA to highlight the social work of its players and the values of the competition, is the latest addition to the league’s efforts to better respond to the changing times of the Black Lives Matter movement and the shock of cases of
police violence like George Floyd, which came to paralyze the competition last year.
The NBA aims to recognize players for “Pursue social justice and uphold the league’s values of equality, respect, and inclusion”, and not just because of his achievements on the track.
“It is a very great honor. I am fortunate to participate in a league full of players who are equally passionate about making a difference. “, Carmelo Anthony valued the portal ‘The Undefeated’. “I am very grateful to Kareem and the selection committee for standing out. I hope this award encourage others to help those who have historically been marginalized or systematically homeless, and that they do their part to achieve equality and justice for all ”.
The award also highlighted the work of four other finalists: Harrison Barnes (Kings), Tobias Harris (Sixers), Jrue Holiday (Bucks) and Juan Toscano-Anderson (Warriors).
Anthony, as the award winner, selected the Portland Art Museum’s Black Arts and Experiences Initiative as the recipient of the $ 100,000 grant that grants the recognition. The other finalists will be able to send a check for $ 25,000 to organizations around them.