Former UNC star Harrison Barnes was named as one of five finalists on Friday for the NBA’s inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award.

The award is named after six-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 by Barack Obama for his contributions both on and off the court.

It recognizes a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged.

Finalists were determined by a selection committee including Abdul-Jabbar himself and a group of notable social justice leaders, and each finalist has selected an organization focused on advancing social justice that will receive a contribution on his behalf.

The winner’s organization will receive a $100,000 donation, while each of the other four finalists’ choices will receive $25,000.

Barnes — a former NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors who is now with the Sacramento Kings — has selected the Center for Policing Equity.

Over the last year, he has been a vocal advocate for voter rights, addressing systemic racism and investing in Black youth.

When the NBA restarted its 2019-20 season in Orlando last summer, Barnes dedicated each Kings game to a different organization supporting racial justice — including the Trayvon Martin Foundation, the Botham Jean Foundation, The Atatiana Project, Mothers Against Police Brutality, the Michael Brown Foundation, Tamir Rice Foundation, Champion in the Making and the African American Policy Forum. He donated $25,000 to each group.

This past October, Barnes was also named to the NBA Foundation’s inaugural Board of Directors, helping to guide its effort to further economic empowerment in the Black community.

Other finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award include: Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers), Carmelo Anthony (Portland Trailblazers), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks) and Juan Toscano-Anderson (Golden State Warriors). The winner will be announced ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

 

 

Photo via Associated Press


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