Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was honored Thursday as the NBA’s Social Justice Champion and the recipient of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy for the 2023-24 season.
Towns was selected for his work to uphold voting rights, including his effort to help pass a voting bill in Minnesota for people who were previously incarcerated, and on other issues related to justice and education, the NBA said in a release. Towns is also a board member for the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.
“It is a great honor to be named the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion,” Towns said in a statement. “I am proud to have played a role in the passing of Minnesota’s Restore the Vote bill and I will always be committed to supporting social justice causes as that is part of my DNA.”
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum credited Towns for his work that has “made a true impact on the lives of thousands in Minnesota and beyond.”
“Karl-Anthony Towns has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing social justice through his tremendous advocacy work not only this past year, but throughout his whole career,” Tatum said in a statement.
Other finalists for the award this year were Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III and LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook.
A $100,000 donation will be made on Towns’ behalf to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities.
This is the fourth year that the NBA has named a social justice champion. Other recipients of the award have been Carmelo Anthony, Reggie Bullock and Stephen Curry. The award was created in 2021 to honor a player for pursuit of social justice while upholding the values of equality, respect and inclusion.
All 30 teams nominate one player for the award, which was chosen by a committee led by Hall of Fame member Abdul-Jabbar, league executives and social justice leaders.
The Timberwolves have had quite the award haul this month, with Rudy Gobert named Defensive Player of the Year, Naz Reid getting Sixth Man of the Year and Mike Conley winning Teammate of the Year.
The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.