NEW YORK, NY. – The NBA today announced the establishment of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, an annual honor recognizing a current NBA player who demonstrates a commitment to social justice and upholds the league’s longstanding values of equality, respect, and inclusion.
The award is named in honor of six-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The recipient is recognized for advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s mission to drive meaningful change and inspiring others to reflect on injustice and engage in collective action within their communities over the past year.
The winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award will designate an organization to receive a $100,000 contribution on their behalf. Each of the remaining four finalists will also select an organization to receive a $25,000 contribution.
“I’m honored and grateful to be associated with this award that will recognize the dedicated and selfless people fighting to promote social justice for all marginalized people,” said Abdul-Jabbar. “To me, it’s another giant step in the right direction for the country and all people who value equality.”
Each of the 30 NBA teams will designate one player from their roster as the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion. A committee consisting of NBA legends, league executives, and social justice leaders will select the finalists and the overall winner.
“In addition to being one of our greatest players, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has devoted much of his life to advocating for equality and social justice,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “With this new award, we are proud to recognize and celebrate NBA players who are using their influence to make an impact on their communities and our broader society.”
Abdul-Jabbar has been a dedicated advocate for inclusivity since his youth. At the age of 17, he met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his hometown of Harlem, New York. Inspired by Dr. King’s message, Abdul-Jabbar committed to leveraging his platform as a prominent athlete to address critical social issues during the Civil Rights Movement. In 1967, he participated in the Cleveland Summit alongside Bill Russell, Jim Brown, and other notable Black athletes to discuss Muhammad Ali’s refusal to serve in the Vietnam War. Since retiring from professional basketball, Abdul-Jabbar has continued to champion equality and fight against discrimination. In 2016, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, by former President Barack Obama. Additionally, in 2009, Abdul-Jabbar founded the Skyhook Foundation, which focuses on providing educational STEM opportunities to underserved communities.
As one of the most accomplished players in NBA history, Abdul-Jabbar holds league records for regular-season MVP awards (six), All-Star Game selections (19), and career points (38,387) amassed over his 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. He entered the NBA in the 1969-70 season following his leadership in guiding UCLA to three consecutive national championships.
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