The NBA has announced the five finalists for the 2024-25 NBA Social Justice Champion Award: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Harrison Barnes (San Antonio Spurs), Chris Boucher (Toronto Raptors), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), and CJ McCollum (New Orleans Pelicans). The award, which includes the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy, recognizes a current NBA player for their work in pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s mission of engaging, empowering, and driving equality for historically disadvantaged individuals and groups.

The NBA Social Justice Champion will be announced during the NBA Playoffs and will receive $100,000 from the NBA to donate to a justice-focused organization of their choice. The finalists were selected by a committee led by NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, and includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, human rights activist Dr. Richard Lapchick, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, and JJ Mandaquit, the youth representative from the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Court of Leaders. Past winners include Carmelo Anthony, Reggie Bullock, Stephen Curry, and Karl Anthony-Towns.

Bam Adebayo has been recognized for his community involvement through his Bam, Books and Brotherhood Foundation. His contributions include over $40,000 to the Liberty City Youth Center, $8,000 towards the Bam Adebayo Outdoor Classroom Dedication to Northeast Elementary School, a Mother’s Day event providing mothers with $2,500 shopping sprees, and $2,000 to Northside High School’s athletic department for the 2024 Phenom Hoops Showcase Tournament. Adebayo’s total giving exceeded $50,000, and his foundation also partnered with Necker Hospital in Paris to surprise a fan with a signed jersey and tickets to the Paris Olympics.

Harrison Barnes is being honored for his commitment to education, community development, and social equality. He and his wife donated $250,000 to AlamoPROMISE, a tuition-free program supporting St. Philip’s College. Barnes also donated $50,000 to UNICEF USA to support humanitarian aid efforts and $100,000 to Athletes in Action. Additionally, he contributed $10,000 to Los Angeles Nomadic Division. Barnes launched a court refurbishment program, starting with the Guadalupe Community Center in San Antonio, and dedicates his time to nonprofits like Mi Corazon Ministries, Black Outside, and Gardopia Gardens.

Chris Boucher is advancing economic and racial justice through youth empowerment, focusing on Black and Caribbean youth in Canada. Through his SlimmDuck Foundation, Boucher has led initiatives reaching over 1000 youth across Toronto and Montreal, providing scholarships, mental health advocacy, and community programming. He hosted youth basketball camps, organized holiday meals and toy giveaways, and co-hosted “MindFull,” a mental health panel. He also awarded scholarships at Toronto Metropolitan University, donated computer equipment to Hackergals, and raised funds through “Night of Laughter.” His foundation partnered with Puma, Subway, Kids Help Phone, and other organizations, contributing over $10,000 in scholarships, tech donations, and community support.

Jrue Holiday, with his wife Lauren Holiday through their Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund (JLH Fund), launched the Boston Creator Incubator + Accelerator in partnership with Boston Xchange. This initiative supports Boston-based creators and entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities by providing up to $100,000 in grant capital per business, along with coaching and access to institutions like MIT, Harvard, and Suffolk University. The JLH Fund has deployed over $5.3 million in grants and delivered over 400 hours of coaching to nearly 200 businesses. Jrue pledged $5 million of his 2020 NBA salary to combat systemic racism and economic injustice. He also serves on the board of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.

CJ McCollum has been recognized as a leading social justice voice within the New Orleans Pelicans organization. He has led discussions on justice reform, voting rights, and economic empowerment, and actively engages in league-wide policy discussions. McCollum’s efforts have inspired the Pelicans organization to increase community engagement and invest in sustainable impact initiatives. He has partnered with the Pelicans to create career opportunities for McCollum Scholars and expand mentorship for youth. McCollum opened an education and innovation hub at the Westbank Boys & Girls Club and hosted Boys & Girls Club youth for a Suite Night at a Pelicans game. He also visited patients at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.