Honored, humbled, but not satisfied: Carmelo Anthony on receiving the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award
While Anthony receives this recognition in 2021, his efforts have been ongoing for over 15 years as he s sought reform and change in various social issues.
Brian Martin, for NBA.com
On May 3, Carmelo Anthony climbed to 10
th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list – joining an elite group with some of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose 38,387 career points remains the benchmark three decades removed from his retirement.
But the connection between Kareem and Carmelo goes well beyond the buckets they can put up on the court. Both men have been leaders off the court in the fight for social justice and racial equality and both have used their platforms to bring change to their local communities and on a national platform.
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony is the first-ever winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, community activist, author and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced the honor on TNT before the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks played Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Finals series on Tuesday.
NBA @NBA
.@kaj33 announces @carmeloanthony as the inaugural winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #SocialJusticeChampion Award! #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/gMVODrAAYU
The NBA today announced that 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 have been selected as the five finalists for the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award. The new annual