President Obama praises NBA’s anti-gun violence stance

President Barack Obama offered his support for the NBA’s stance against gun violence with a tweet on Wednesday, following the release of the league’s new Spike Lee-directed, socially aware commercials that will air on Christmas Day.

The new spots feature NBA stars including Stephen Curry, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Joakim Noah, the last of whom has been especially active in the community in Chicago, where Obama still calls home.

SI’s DeAntae Prince spoke with Lee, who has been vocal about his stance against gun violence in the past, and detailed the thought process behind the league’s anti-gun ads this week.

Obama took to Twitter to commend the league for its efforts.

I'm proud of the @NBA for taking a stand against gun violence. Sympathy for victims isn't enough – change requires all of us speaking up.
— President Obama (@POTUS44) December 23, 2015

You can check out one of the new TV spots below.

- Jeremy Woo