Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert Among NBA Stars Selecting Social Justice Jersey Messages
A number of the NBA's biggest stars have already chosen a social justice-related message that will be displayed on the back of their jerseys at the start of the NBA's restart this July.
ESPN's Malika Andrews reported Monday that Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother and teammate, Thanasis, will wear "Equality" on the back of their jerseys.
Last week, Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported a sample of some of the player selections. Additional jersey alterations announced included NBPA president and Thunder guard Chris Paul's decision to replace the name on his jersey with "Equality," per The Undefeated's Marc Spears.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: "Equality"
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: "Equality"
- Rudy Gobert, Jazz: "Equality"
- Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers: "How Many More?"
- Enes Kanter, Celtics: "Freedom"
- Lakers guard Danny Green: "How Many More?"
- CJ McCollum, Trail Blazers: "Education Reform"
- Jusuf Nurkic, Trail Blazers: "Equality"
- Kent Bazemore, Kings: "Education Reform"
- Matisse Thybulle, 76ers: "Vote"
- Pat Connaughton, Bucks: "Equality"
- Meyers Leonard, Heat: "Equality"
- Ivica Zubac, Clippers: "Enough"
- Moe Wagner, Wizards: "Vote"
- Jamal Crawford, Nets: "Equality"
According to Spears, the list, which was agreed upon by both parties, includes, "Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can't Breathe; Justice; Peace; Equality; Freedom; Enough; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can); Liberation; See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Listen; Listen to Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economics; Education Reform; and Mentor."
The Undefeated reports that the gesture to put one of the aforementioned messages on jerseys this summer is optional.
A message can be displayed without a player's last name appearing on the back of the jersey during the first four days of the restart. After the first four days, a player can still have a message on their jersey back, but their last name will be beneath.
The WNBA and the WNBPA have also agreed to honor women who have died in connection to police brutality and following racial violence, such as Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor and Vanessa Guillen.
WNBA players will wear warm-up shirts that say "Black Lives Matter" on the front and "Say Her Name" on the back. "Black Lives Matter" will also be featured prominently on the courts at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The jerseys will specifically honor Taylor.
The WNBA season is expected to begin July 24, while the NBA restart is expected to begin July 30.
