Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota Timberwolves wins the NBA’s social justice award

Karl-Anthony Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves center, was named the NBA's Social Justice Champion and received the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy for the 2023-24 season. 

Towns was chosen for his work to protect voting rights, including his efforts to help enact a voting bill in Minnesota Timberwolves for formerly jailed persons, as well as other topics linked to justice and education, according to an NBA press release. Towns is also a board member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. 

According to ESPN Karl-Anthony Towns said, "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."

Other contenders for the honor this year were Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III, and Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook. 

Towns will make a $100,000 commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. All 30 teams in the NBA nominate one player for the honor, which is decided by a committee consisting of Hall of Fame member Abdul-Jabbar, league executives, and social justice leaders. 

Minnesota Timberwolves got many awards

The NBA has picked a social justice champion for the fourth consecutive year. Stephen Curry, Carmelo Anthony, and Reggie Bullock have also received this honour. The goal of the award, established in 2021, is to recognise a player who pursues social justice while preserving the principles of inclusiveness, respect, and equality.

This month, Timberwolves have received several awards, including Rudy Gobert being awarded Defensive Player of the Year, Naz Reid being named Sixth Man of the Year, and Mike Conley receiving Teammate of the Year.