– NBA to Donate $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities on Towns’ Behalf –
NEW YORK, May 9, 2024 – The NBA today announced that Minnesota Timberwolves center-forward Karl-Anthony Towns has been named the 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion and will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy. Towns was selected from a group of five finalists for his dedication to pursuing social justice and upholding Abdul-Jabbar and the league’s decades-long values of equality, respect and inclusion.
Towns has been a committed advocate for voting rights, playing a pivotal role in the passage of House File 28 (Bill H.F. 28) – Minnesota’s Restore the Vote bill, a bipartisan legislation that restores the right to vote to thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals. As a leader for the Timberwolves and in the community, Towns used his platform and voice in support of the bill, shining a light on inequities within the criminal justice system. He participated in meetings with key organizations and a community conversation hosted by All Square – a nonprofit in Minnesota that invests in people impacted by mass incarceration. Towns expressed the pressing need for all citizens to have a voice within our democracy and encouraged action at the polls. Towns’ engagement with All Square exemplifies his passion to make an impact on issues that will help create positive change. H.F. 28 was signed into law in March 2023 and it helped restore the right to vote for more than 55,000 Minnesotans upon its implementation in July 2023 who were previously incarcerated or on parole. The passage of H.F.28 marked the largest expansion of voting rights since the voting age in Minnesota was lowered to 18 years old.
In addition to his advocacy around Restore the Vote, Towns has also used his platform to raise awareness for other critical issues within the justice and education system. Towns dedicated his time and financial support to serve as a producer for the documentary “Forgiving Johnny,” a short film that explores how digital transformation enables change within the justice system, following the main character Johnny and his public defender, Noah Cox, as they navigate the complex legal system. Towns also provided funding to Ava DuVernay’s film “Origin,” and encouraged young people to experience the film and engage with reading banned books. Towns is also a board member for the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition (NBSJC), an advocacy organization formed jointly by the NBA, National Basketball Players Association and National Basketball Coaches Association in 2020 that leverages the game’s influence to promote policy, build strategic partnerships, and empower action in NBA markets across the nation.
“Karl-Anthony Towns has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing social justice through his tremendous advocacy work not only this past year, but throughout his whole career,” said Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer. “Whether it was the passage of the Restore the Vote legislation in Minnesota, his ‘Forgiving Johnny’ documentary or continued work with the Coalition, Karl’s efforts have made a true impact on the lives of thousands in Minnesota and beyond.”
Finalists for the award included Miami Heat center-forward Bam Adebayo, New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III and LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook.
The winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award was determined by a selection committee comprised of NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and notable social justice leaders. The selection committee includes: Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport Dr. Richard Lapchick, 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. This year’s youth representative from the Jr. NBA Court of Leaders was JJ Mandaquit.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is the recipient of the Michael Jordan Trophy as the 2023-24 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. Jokić has been named the Kia NBA MVP for the third time, having previously earned the honor in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
The nine-year NBA veteran from Serbia is the ninth player to win three or more MVPs, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five), Bill Russell (five), Wilt Chamberlain (four), LeBron James (four), Larry Bird (three), Magic Johnson (three) and Moses Malone (three).
In the 2023-24 regular season, Jokić ranked 10th in the NBA in points, fourth in rebounds and third in assists per game. He became the second player in NBA history to have at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 700 assists in a season, joining Oscar Robertson (1961-62).
Jokić finished second in the NBA in both double-doubles (68) and triple-doubles (25). He shot 58.3% from the field, the 10th-highest mark in the league.
Behind Jokić, the Nuggets (57-25) matched the franchise high for victories in a season and tied for the best record in the Western Conference.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is the recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy as the 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Gobert has been named the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year for a record-tying fourth time. He joins Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only four-time winners of the award, which has been presented annually since the 1982-83 season. The 7-1 native of France is also the first player to earn the honor with the Timberwolves.
In the 2023-24 regular season, Gobert ranked sixth in the NBA in blocks per game (2.13) and fourth in defensive rebounds per game (9.2). Opponents shot 43.4% from the field when Gobert was the closest defender, 6.1% lower than their expected percentage on those shots (49.5%). That difference was the largest among the 105 players who defended at least 800 shots during the season.
Led by Gobert, the Timberwolves had the best defensive rating, allowed the fewest points per game and held opponents to the lowest field goal percentage in the NBA. The top-ranked defense helped Minnesota (56-26) post the second-best record in franchise history and earn the No. 3 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama is the recipient of the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy as the 2023-24 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year.
Wembanyama is the first player from France to win the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award, which has been presented annually since the 1952-53 season. He is also the third player to earn the honor with the Spurs, joining David Robinson (1989-90) and Tim Duncan (1997-98).
Wembanyama received all 99 first-place votes from a media panel, making him the first unanimous Kia NBA Rookie of the Year since Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015-16 season.
In the 2023-24 regular season, Wembanyama led all rookies in points, rebounds and blocks per game, in addition to ranking fourth in assists and second in steals per game. He is the second rookie to lead all NBA players in blocks per game in a season, joining Manute Bol (1985-86). Wembanyama and Bol are also the only two rookies to lead the NBA in total blocks in a season since blocks were first recorded in the 1973-74 season.
Wembanyama became the first player to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in fewer than 30 minutes per game in a season. He is also the first player to have at least 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists, 250 blocks and 100 three-pointers made in a season.
Wembanyama is one of three finalists for the 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. TNT will reveal the winner on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
