The NBA announced that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was named the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award winner.

Curry, the four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP – was picked based on his work advocating for voting rights, food scarcity in underserved communities, and gender and racial equity in sports.

This award was given to Curry for, ‘his dedication to 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.’

I firmly believe that we must be vocal both on social media and in real life, taking tangible actions to effect real change in our society and for generations to come.’

 

The NBA has named Steph Curry the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion

Curry was picked for ‘dedication to pursuing social justice’, including his work for voting rights

Curry and his wife Ayesha run the ‘Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation’, which focuses on childhood nutrition and physical activity in the city of Oakland, California – where Golden State used to play before moving to San Francisco.

By winning the award, the NBA is donating $100k to a charity of Curry’s choice – the University of San Francisco Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice.

According to their website, the institute ‘investigates, illuminates, and advances the theory and practice of transformational nonviolence to confront and overcome injustice and systemic violence and contribute to the just resolution of communal conflict.’

 

Curry has donated millions in scholarships and to launch the golf team at Howard University

 

He also runs his own ‘Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation’ back in Oakland alongside his wife Ayesha

Curry was named a finalist along with Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, and Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams.

All four of these finalists are receiving $25,000 towards social justice-focused organizations of their choosing.

The committee selecting the winner of the award included Abdul-Jabbar himself as well as representatives from the league and from diversity groups.

Curry is the third winner of this award, joining Reggie Bullock from 2022 and the inaugural winner – the recently retired Carmelo Anthony in 2021.