Landon Buford
Two weeks ago, the NBA announced that they created a new award in honor of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The award will recognize the all-time leading scorer on the court and off as he is a civil rights activist. The recipient of the award will embody his work on social justice and racial equality.
The first recipient Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be announced during this year’s playoffs and will receive $100,000. They will be able to donate to a cause of their choice, according to ESPN’s Martenzie Johnson.
“It’s nice to see the NBA try to promote social justice awareness, and I am very flattered they would see fit to name the award after me,” Abdul-Jabbar, 74, told The Undefeated. “I know I have some history with this, so I’m happy the way it’s worked out.”
NBA won’t be the only organization that will be recognized by Jabbar this year. NBA 2K will be putting Jabbar on the Legend’s cover for NBA 2k22, according to Abraham Horry of Coral Studios. Horry was on Clubhouse in the Sportslikeus room hosted by Nelson Dukes when he shared the news.
“The people have spoken, and the younger generation and they understand that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar created a platform for players to even allowing players to be creative in today’s world. That’s why I’m so grateful that we have great players like Kyrie Irving or LeBron James and players that speak the NBA gospel, the fans, and kids around the world. To share that if it weren’t for Kareem, they wouldn’t be here. So, much to now, on the Next NBA 2k, Kareem will be on the Legends cover,” said Horry.
“So, they will be able to speak towards his greatness and accolades. He has always been in the game, and that’s because he is so savvy with being a part of the NBA. He is also very protective of the image of the NBA as well as blacks across the world. It is really going to be cool to see him get his flowers with the younger generation as well. Because I feel many people think that there is a disconnect, I think the bigger message with his career. Is I was able to be triumphant, and I was able to push social justice issues further than some of his peers.”
Jabber is currently a Contributing Editor at The Hollywood Reporter. Where he now is shedding light on different issues in Hollywood, politics,
