News

Karl-Anthony Towns Named 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion

Criminal Justice

Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns has been named the 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion. Towns becomes the first Timberwolves player and fourth recipient of the award since its inception in 2021. The annual award honors a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s values of equality, respect and inclusion.

Hate is on the rise in America. As NBA leaders, we’re fighting against it together.

Around the NBA

Against the backdrop of rising hate crimes in the U.S., Coalition Board members Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics Guard), Micky Arison (Miami Heat Managing General Partner), and J.B. Bickerstaff (Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach) pen a compelling op-ed for USA Today arguing for the power of sports to unite and heal, reaffirming the NBA’s commitment to social…[ More ]

Detroit Pistons help provide ‘second chance’ to more than 150 citizens from the justice-impacted community

Criminal Justice

The Pistons, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, Safe & Just Michigan, the City of Detroit, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Project Clean Slate, the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and other resource groups provided support to more than 150 formerly incarcerated individuals. The event served as an opportunity for a fresh…[ More ]

How I Got Here: James Cadogan

About the Coalition

Executive Director, James Cadogan, talks with his law school Alma Mater on his journey to the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.

Yahoo Sports spotlights Social Justice Coalition digital asset launch

About the Coalition

The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is establishing more of its presence and core issues with a video published to Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday. The coalition was established as a partnership by the NBA, NBA Players Association and NBA Coaches Association (NBCA) in November 2020…

Q&A: James Cadogan, executive director of National Basketball Social Justice Coalition

About the Coalition

Appointed as the first executive director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition back in April, Cadogan is tasked with driving the group’s strategic vision and day-to-day operations, as the NBA works collaboratively to address racial inequality and advance social justice causes by raising awareness, educating citizens and advocating for policy change in multiple areas…

NBA, NBPA add social justice panel to Rookie Transition Program

Around the NBA

As NBA rookies, second-year players, journeymen – and even 2008 second overall draft pick Michael Beasley – competed by day in the Las Vegas Summer League this week, at night the first-year players were in the conference rooms of UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center learning the ropes of being successful in the NBA…

Can NBA players become politicians?

Around the NBA

After the frenetic protests of the 2020 playoff bubble, superstars wrestle with turning activism into Washington lobbying—and the fraught politics of the national anthem…