Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns Named Finalist for 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award

In a recent announcement by the NBA, it was revealed that Karl-Anthony Towns, the versatile forward/center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2023-24 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. This annual accolade recognizes an NBA player for their dedicated commitment to social justice and adherence to the league’s core values of equality, respect, and inclusion.

Expressing his humility and gratitude, Towns stated, “I am incredibly humbled to be named a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalist. Being an advocate for equality and using my platform to advance causes closest to my heart and supporting those most marginalized is very important to me.”

Over the past 12-18 months, Towns has actively contributed to the passing of Bill HF28, a significant legislation in Minnesota known as the Restore the Vote bill. This bill grants the right to vote to formerly incarcerated individuals in Minnesota, aligning them with other eligible voters in the state.

Towns passionately championed the cause of Bill HF28, shedding light on issues related to mass incarceration and working closely with various key organizations such as the Minnesota Freedom Fund, New Justice Project, Minnesota Justice Research Center, and All-Square. His advocacy efforts were instrumental in navigating the bill through the legislative process.

To raise awareness and encourage civic engagement, Towns participated in a Community Conversation organized by the nonprofit All Square, a proponent of “The Legal Revolution” aimed at transforming the legal system with inputs from those most affected by it. This proactive engagement exemplifies Towns’ commitment to fostering change by connecting with and supporting the community.

The fruition of Towns’ advocacy came in July 2023, following Governor Walz‘s endorsement, when Bill HF28 was officially signed into law. This landmark legislation extends voting rights to over 50,000 Minnesotans previously disenfranchised due to their incarceration or parole status, marking a significant milestone in expanding voting access.

Notably, Towns’ impactful advocacy transcends the realm of voting rights. He has also shed light on critical issues surrounding mass incarceration and the deficiencies within the justice and education systems. Through his role as a producer for the documentary “Forgiving Johnny,” Towns provided both financial support and personal involvement in addressing the complexities of the legal system.

In addition, Towns extended his support to Ava DuVernay‘s film “Origin” and the Array Alliance‘s initiative to promote engagement with banned books among young audiences. His multifaceted efforts underscore his dedication to social justice causes and empowering marginalized communities.

This marks the second occasion on which Towns has been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, following his commendable advocacy work in the aftermath of George Floyd‘s tragic murder. Joining Towns as finalists for the award this year are CJ McCollum (New Orleans Pelicans), Russell Westbrook (LA Clippers), Lindy Waters III (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat).

The chosen beneficiary of the award recipient will receive a significant grant of $100,000. The ultimate winner will be announced in the forthcoming month, celebrating their outstanding contributions to social justice and community empowerment in the NBA.