The
NBA
on Friday announced the five finalists for the inaugural
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award.
Portland Trail Blazers
forward
Carmelo Anthony
, Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Philadelphia 76ers forward
Tobias Harris
, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Jrue Holiday
and
Golden State Warriors
forward Juan Toscano-Anderson were selected by a committee that included the award's namesake, the six-time NBA champion and the league's all-time leading scorer.
The award "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," according to a news release from the NBA.
The winner will be announced prior to Game 4 of the
Eastern Conference
finals on TNT.
Each finalist has selected an organization focused on advancing social justice. The winning player's organization will receive a $100,000 donation and the other finalists' causes will each receive $25,000.
In addition to Abdul-Jabbar, the selection committee included Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, student activist Teyonna Lofton, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer
Mark Tatum
.
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