What's happened
Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics has been awarded the NBA's Social Justice Champion award for the 2024-2025 season. The announcement follows his recent win of the sportsmanship award. The NBA will donate $100,000 to his social impact fund, which has supported numerous businesses and initiatives across the U.S.
What's behind the headline?
Significance of the Award
The NBA's Social Justice Champion award highlights players who actively contribute to social equity. Holiday's recognition underscores the importance of athlete activism in addressing systemic issues.
Impact of the JLH Fund
- Financial Support: The JLH Fund has provided over $5.3 million in grants.
- Community Engagement: More than 400 hours of coaching have been delivered to nearly 200 businesses.
- Recent Initiatives: The fund has expanded its efforts to assist those affected by recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
Broader Implications
Holiday's achievements reflect a growing trend in professional sports where athletes leverage their platforms for social change. This award not only honors individual contributions but also encourages other players to engage in similar initiatives, fostering a culture of responsibility and activism within the league.
What the papers say
According to Tim Reynolds from The Independent, Holiday's award comes shortly after he won the sportsmanship award, emphasizing his dual commitment to excellence on and off the court. Reynolds notes that the NBA's donation to the JLH Fund is a significant endorsement of Holiday's efforts.
AP News highlights that Holiday received 34% of the first-place votes from nearly 400 NBA players for the sportsmanship award, showcasing his respect among peers. The report also mentions that Holiday's initiatives have expanded to include support for businesses affected by wildfires, illustrating the fund's adaptability to current events.
Both sources agree on the importance of Holiday's contributions, but Reynolds emphasizes the personal impact of Holiday's journey, while AP News focuses on the broader implications for the NBA and its players.
How we got here
Holiday's commitment to social justice began during the 2019-20 season when he pledged $5 million of his salary to support communities affected by systemic racism. His JLH Fund has since distributed over $5.3 million in grants and coaching support.
Go deeper
- What initiatives has the JLH Fund supported?
- How has Holiday's activism influenced other players?
- What are the future goals of the JLH Fund?
More on these topics
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Jrue Randall Holiday is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association.
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The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.
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Boston is the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States, and the 21st most populous city in the United States.
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The National Basketball Association is an American men's professional basketball league. It is composed of 30 teams and is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.