five NBA – Bam Adebayo, Harrison Barnes, Jaylen Brown, Tobias Harris, and Larry Nance Jr. were selected as finalists for the 2026 NBA Social Justice Champion award, to be announced during the 2026 Conference Finals. The winner will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy
The NBA has unveiled its five finalists for the 2026 Social Justice Champion award, setting up a high-profile announcement during the 2026 Conference Finals.
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs. Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons. and Larry Nance Jr.. of the Cleveland Cavaliers will compete for the honor that comes with the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy—given to the player judged to be advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage. empower and drive equality for individuals and groups historically disadvantaged.
The winner will also receive a $100,000 donation from the NBA for a non-profit organization of his choosing.
The five finalists were chosen from a pool of nominees submitted by NBA teams to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion selection committee. which includes social justice leaders and members of the NBA family.. This year’s committee includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. along with several new members: Realize The Dream Co-Founders Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King; GirlTREK Co-Founder and President Vanessa Garrison; National Museum
of African American History & Culture Acting Director Shanita Brackett; Civic Nation CEO Kyle Lierman; NBA President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs Kathy Behrens; National Basketball Players Association Foundation (NBPA) Executive Director Erika Swilley; and Jr.. NBA/Jr.. WNBA Court of Leaders and Class of 2027 high school basketball player Cayden Daughtry Jr.. The NBA noted that this marks the introduction of a new selection committee following five years of service by the award’s previous
committee.
Among the finalists. Bam Adebayo’s work centers on educational equity. food security and youth development across South Florida and North Carolina.. During the 2025-26 season. the NBA said he led 18 social justice-focused initiatives through the Bam Adebayo Foundation. investing more than $563. 000 into programs aimed at expanding access and opportunity for underserved youth and families.. The list of efforts includes mattresses. uniforms and school supplies for students at The SEED School of Miami. transportation support for more than 19. 000 students to attend the Miami Book Fair. and experiences built to expose students to new opportunities and mentorship.
The NBA also highlighted food-security support, including large-scale holiday meal distributions and an annual toy drive serving more than 2,000 children.. Adebayo’s youth-development work includes the Bam Basketball Camp and the Liberty City Warriors program.. The NBA further cited his donation of a renovated Miami HEAT-themed basketball court at Camillus House Homeless Shelter. meant to create a permanent recreation and wellness space for residents.
Harrison Barnes. meanwhile. was selected for sustained commitments to educational equity. economic opportunity and youth development in communities across San Antonio and beyond.. For the 2025-26 season. the NBA said Barnes committed $150. 000 to 10 San Antonio nonprofit organizations supporting mental health. housing stability. civic engagement and economic empowerment.. He also made what the NBA described as the largest single contribution in the history of the San Antonio MLK Commission Scholarship Program with a $50. 000 donation supporting graduating seniors pursuing higher education.
Barnes addressed food insecurity with groceries and gift cards provided to nearly 200 families on San Antonio’s East Side.. The NBA also pointed to a multi-city court refurbishment initiative in San Antonio. Austin and Saltillo. Mexico. aimed at expanding access to safe community spaces.. Barnes is also noted as an inaugural NBA Foundation Board member supporting national efforts focused on economic opportunity and career advancement for underserved communities.
Jaylen Brown’s finalist bid focuses on economic equity and educational access. with investments tied to entrepreneurship. ownership and workforce development for Black and Brown communities.. The NBA said Brown helped establish a $2.5 million capital pool through Boston XChange and the Boston Creator Accelerator — co-founded by Brown with the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund — supporting minority-owned businesses through funding. mentorship and institutional partnerships. and with Brown personally investing in cohort companies to reinforce their long-term sustainability.
Brown’s 7uice Foundation Bridge Program is also a central piece of his selection.. The NBA said the program provides mentorship. STEAM exposure. college readiness and workforce placement for students nationwide. and that during the 2025-26 season. 100 percent of Bridge participants were accepted to every college and university to which they applied as the program continues expanding nationally.
For Tobias Harris, the NBA highlighted an emphasis on economic equity and affordable homeownership.. Through the Tobias Harris Homeownership Initiative (THHI). Harris developed a shared-appreciation mortgage model designed to reduce upfront costs and lower monthly payments for qualified first-time homebuyers in Detroit neighborhoods by targeting structural barriers to homeownership.. The NBA said Harris invested more than $1 million into the initiative’s pilot program and worked with public. private and philanthropic partners to build pathways toward long-term wealth creation and housing stability.
The NBA also cited Harris’s involvement beyond Detroit. including the development of more than 560 affordable housing units across five Los Angeles projects.. His selection notes also tie him to national economic opportunity and career advancement efforts through his role as a founding NBA Foundation Board member.
Larry Nance Jr.. rounded out the finalist group with a spotlight on immigrant justice. healthcare equity. education access and support for underserved families and communities.. The NBA said Nance Jr.. used the visibility of his pregame walk-ins during the 2025-26 season to raise awareness about social justice issues. including immigrant advocacy and support for women in sports.
The NBA also pointed to Nance Jr.’s charitable support for The Haven Home. which serves pregnant and parenting women experiencing homelessness. including donations of gifts and essential supplies to residents.. It further cited a $15,000 contribution to Cleveland Clinic digestive health research through his work with Athletes vs.. Crohn’s & Colitis.
On the education and arts front, the NBA said Nance Jr.. established the Elevating Possibility Scholarship for high school seniors excelling in arts or athletics.. He also partnered with Swensons in Akron to raise funds and collect supplies for Akron Public Schools. matching every dollar raised personally.. As a member of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition Board. he continues to help advance the NBA’s social justice priorities and leadership development initiatives.
The NBA will announce the 2026 Social Justice Champion award winner during the Conference Finals, with the successful player receiving the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy and a $100,000 NBA donation for a nonprofit organization of his choosing.
NBA Social Justice Champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy Bam Adebayo Harrison Barnes Jaylen Brown Tobias Harris Larry Nance Jr 2026 NBA Playoffs Conference Finals