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Anthony Receives Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award
6/30/2021 8:32:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Carmelo Anthony, who helped Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA Championship prior to embarking on a successful, still-running NBA career, has been named the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion. He is the inaugural recipient of the honor.
Anthony has been active in social justice-related initiatives throughout his NBA career. In July 2020, he partnered with 11-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns and NBA legend Dwyane Wade to create the Social Change Fund, which aims to address social and economic justice issues facing Black communities and break down the discriminatory barriers to success. Last summer, he also served as guest editor-in-chief for SLAM magazine's special Social Justice issue that featured the game's most influential activists, including Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell and Sheryl Swoopes.Â
A YEAR OF EXTRAORDINARY GIVING
In March, he partnered with 94-year-old activist Ms. Opal Lee to raise awareness of Juneteenth and advocate for the day to become a national holiday, which was ultimately signed into law in June. He was also the featured voice in a powerful campaign with the Vera Institute of Justice to promote criminal justice reform. He was instrumental in the launch of the Trail Blazers Racial Injustice Initiative, a multi-layered program that has provided more than $200,000 in funding to organizations fighting systemic racism. Anthony also serves as one of the players on the board of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. Most recently, Anthony announced global, multi-platform content company Creative 7 Productions, which he co-founded to champion inclusive, purpose-driven storytelling from diverse voices.
MELO'S HISTORY OF GIVING BACK
Anthony continues to focus on social reform through the Carmelo Anthony Foundation, which he founded over 15 years ago as a vehicle for actionable change and social reform through a variety of outreach programs, disaster relief initiatives, and donations. His forthcoming memoir, Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised, will give a never before seen look into Anthony's upbringing and draws attention to the social, health and economic inequities in communities of color. The book will be released on September 14th, 2021.
He has been a generous donor to the Syracuse community. Anthony made the lead gift on the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center at Syracuse University, which opened in 2009. He has also supported the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation and has been an important contributor to the Foundation's Courts 4 Kids program, which refurbishes or builds basketball courts in the Syracuse area.
THE 'CUSE TITLE YEAR
Anthony produced one of the most productive freshman campaigns in NCAA history in his campaign at Syracuse. He led the Orange to the program's first NCAA Championship in 2002-03. He was a consensus All-American after averaging 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while helping Syracuse to a 30-5 overall record.
Anthony was named the 2003 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after producing 33 points and 14 rebounds in the semifinal versus Texas and 20 points and 10 boards in the title title tilt with Kansas.
NBA STARDOM
Anthony was the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He has earned all-star recognition 10 times and All-NBA Recognition six times in 18Â seasons. He ranks 15th on the all-time NBA points list with 27,370 to his credit. In addition to his time in Denver, Anthony has played for New York, Oklahoma City, Houston and Portland.
He has been a mainstay of USA Basketball's recent run of Olympic gold as a member of the 2008, 2012 and 2016 teams that topped the international competition.
THE ABDUL-JABBAR SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAMPION AWARD
The Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award is presented for dedication to the pursuit of social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar's life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged. The winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award was determined by a selection committee composed of Abdul-Jabbar, notable social justice leaders, including Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, student activist Teyonna Lofton, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. The four other finalists for the award were Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday and Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson.
The Award includes a $100,000 contribution on behalf of the winner to a charity of his choice. Anthony tabbed the Portland Art Museum's Black Arts and Experiences Initiative.
Anthony has been active in social justice-related initiatives throughout his NBA career. In July 2020, he partnered with 11-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns and NBA legend Dwyane Wade to create the Social Change Fund, which aims to address social and economic justice issues facing Black communities and break down the discriminatory barriers to success. Last summer, he also served as guest editor-in-chief for SLAM magazine's special Social Justice issue that featured the game's most influential activists, including Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell and Sheryl Swoopes.Â
A YEAR OF EXTRAORDINARY GIVING
In March, he partnered with 94-year-old activist Ms. Opal Lee to raise awareness of Juneteenth and advocate for the day to become a national holiday, which was ultimately signed into law in June. He was also the featured voice in a powerful campaign with the Vera Institute of Justice to promote criminal justice reform. He was instrumental in the launch of the Trail Blazers Racial Injustice Initiative, a multi-layered program that has provided more than $200,000 in funding to organizations fighting systemic racism. Anthony also serves as one of the players on the board of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. Most recently, Anthony announced global, multi-platform content company Creative 7 Productions, which he co-founded to champion inclusive, purpose-driven storytelling from diverse voices.
MELO'S HISTORY OF GIVING BACK
Anthony continues to focus on social reform through the Carmelo Anthony Foundation, which he founded over 15 years ago as a vehicle for actionable change and social reform through a variety of outreach programs, disaster relief initiatives, and donations. His forthcoming memoir, Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised, will give a never before seen look into Anthony's upbringing and draws attention to the social, health and economic inequities in communities of color. The book will be released on September 14th, 2021.
He has been a generous donor to the Syracuse community. Anthony made the lead gift on the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center at Syracuse University, which opened in 2009. He has also supported the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation and has been an important contributor to the Foundation's Courts 4 Kids program, which refurbishes or builds basketball courts in the Syracuse area.
THE 'CUSE TITLE YEAR
Anthony produced one of the most productive freshman campaigns in NCAA history in his campaign at Syracuse. He led the Orange to the program's first NCAA Championship in 2002-03. He was a consensus All-American after averaging 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while helping Syracuse to a 30-5 overall record.
Anthony was named the 2003 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after producing 33 points and 14 rebounds in the semifinal versus Texas and 20 points and 10 boards in the title title tilt with Kansas.
NBA STARDOM
Anthony was the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He has earned all-star recognition 10 times and All-NBA Recognition six times in 18Â seasons. He ranks 15th on the all-time NBA points list with 27,370 to his credit. In addition to his time in Denver, Anthony has played for New York, Oklahoma City, Houston and Portland.
He has been a mainstay of USA Basketball's recent run of Olympic gold as a member of the 2008, 2012 and 2016 teams that topped the international competition.
THE ABDUL-JABBAR SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAMPION AWARD
The Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award is presented for dedication to the pursuit of social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar's life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged. The winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award was determined by a selection committee composed of Abdul-Jabbar, notable social justice leaders, including Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, student activist Teyonna Lofton, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía, Rise Founder and CEO Amanda Nguyen, and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. The four other finalists for the award were Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday and Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson.
The Award includes a $100,000 contribution on behalf of the winner to a charity of his choice. Anthony tabbed the Portland Art Museum's Black Arts and Experiences Initiative.
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