Russell Westbrook named NBA Social Justice Champion Award finalist
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Clippers unveil Russell Westbrook Community Court in South LA
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: It’s the season of giving and the Los Angeles Clippers continue to make their philanthropic mark on the community. Future Hall of Famer and Clippers guard Russell Westbrook attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Jesse Owens Park in South LA's Gramercy Park neighborhood in celebration of the renovations of an additional 117 Clippers Community Courts in LA County.
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Clippers star and LA native Russell Westbrook was named a finalist to receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy, which goes to the NBA's Social Justice Champion Award winner.
Other finalists for the 2023-24 season were Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), CJ McCollum (New Orleans Pelicans), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Lindy Waters III (Oklahoma City Thunder).
The honor went to Golden State’s Stephen Curry last year.
The NBA explained the award as follows:
"A new annual honor that will recognize a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s decades-long values of equality, respect and inclusion. The award is named after six-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The recipient will have advanced Abdul-Jabbar’s mission to drive change and inspired others to reflect on injustice and take collective action in their communities over the previous year."
Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
In mid-November, a community basketball court at Jesse Owens Park was renamed in Westbrook’s honor. It was a full circle moment as it happened to be the same court he grew up playing on.
That same day, Westbrook and members of his Why Not? Foundation hosted its 12th annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution event and handed out 1,000 meals to families in need.
SUGGESTED:
- Russell Westbrook invests in South LA community redevelopment project
- Clippers unveil Russell Westbrook Community Court at Jesse Owens Park in South LA
Earlier this year, it was announced the nine-time All-Star invested in a redevelopment project in South LA.
While he may be a millionaire now, Westbrook continues to give back to the community where he grew up.
Westbrook and the Clippers are currently fighting for a chance to win the franchise’s first championship.