Karl-Anthony Towns Named 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion

Karl-Anthony Towns Named 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion

The NBA has announced Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves as the recipient of the 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion award. Towns was selected from a pool of five finalists for his outstanding commitment to social justice causes, including his advocacy work for equality, respect, and inclusion.

One of Towns’ notable achievements was his instrumental role in the passage of Minnesota’s Restore the Vote bill, which restored voting rights for thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals. His leadership within the Timberwolves organization and the community helped bring attention to the importance of restoring voting rights and addressing disparities within the criminal justice system.

In addition to his work on voting rights, Towns has also raised awareness for critical issues in the justice and education systems. He produced the documentary “Forgiving Johnny,” which explores the impact of digital transformation on the legal system, and supported Ava DuVernay’s film “Origin” to encourage youth engagement with banned books.

As a board member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, Towns continues to use his platform to drive positive change and advocate for policies that promote social justice.

NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum praised Towns for his dedication to social justice, stating, “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.”

The award, named after NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was determined by a selection committee of prominent social justice leaders and NBA officials, including Abdul-Jabbar himself.

Towns’ unwavering dedication to social justice and his efforts to effect meaningful change reflect the values of equality and inclusion upheld by the NBA community.