The People’s Champ: Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns

From changing the game on the basketball court to changing people’s lives, Minnesota Timberwolves Karl Anthony Towns was named as one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award Monday.

The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award is a seasonal National Basketball Association award that honors players who are making strides in the fight for social justice.

Towns have demonstrated the ability to overcome one of the toughest blows in this crazy world that we live in today. Early in the onslaught of the pandemic, the NBA star center lost his mother Jacqueline to COVID-19. He was joined in that loss by seven of his family members.

As the deadly coronavirus continued to sweep our nation, Towns stepped up to the plate to advocate the importance of getting vaccinated. Studies show that the COVID-19 vaccination is the main line of defense to help protect people from experiencing potentially fatal complications by contracting the disease.

Earlier this year Towns stated:

"“With everything I have been through and everything my friends and people I love have been through, I am always going to be an advocate for the vaccine. It saved many lives in my family. And the lives I did lose, we all wish we could have got them the vaccine.” – Karl-Anthony Towns as per Jeff Day of the Star Tribune"

KAT has made his presence felt by encouraging public education in the wake of this health crisis.  In fact, he has partnered with the United States Department of Health and Human Services to encourage the American people to get vaccinated.

The New Jersey native has made his home in Minnesota and has quickly adopted the state and its residents as family. While several NBA players have resisted getting vaccinated, Towns has emerged as of the NBA’s greatest advocates regarding vaccine education.

BIG KAT made it his responsibility to partner with the NBA and Cue Health on promoting the COVID-19 vaccine. In February, he donated 100 COVID-19 testing kits to his home state of New Jersey and his current state of residence, Minnesota.

His acts of kindness did not end there. Towns joined Walgreens with their Get a Shot, Give a Shot campaign to encourage Americans to get flu shots including a $5,000 donation.

As the fight continues to shed light on police injustice. In July 2021, Towns donated $20,000 to the George Floyd Memorial Foundation in partnership with JD Sports. He went to make a Celebrity Wheel of Fortune appearance, where Towns donated $30,000 to the Vera Institute of Justice.

The history of women in sports has come a long way in recent years.  Town’s mother proved to be a motivating force and a big part of his basketball career. To honor his late mother, Towns made a donation to Kean University in his home state to support women’s athletics.

If Towns wins the award he will be the second player to ever be awarded the honor. Lakers Carmelo Anthony was the first player to win the award.

Towns on the honor of being named a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalist.

"“I am incredibly humbled to be named a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion finalist,” said Towns. “Equity across all spheres – health, social and civic is central to me as a person and as a player in this league. I join an inspiring company in my fellow finalists and will continue to be an active participant in the advancement of social justice.”- as per Taylor Nardinger of NBA.com"

Here is a list of the current five finalists:

Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota)
Fred VanVleet (Toronto)
Jaren Jackson Jr (Memphis)
Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee)
Reggie Bullock (Dallas)

Towns is also a finalist for the league’s 2021-22 Season-Long NBA Cares Community Assist Award. Joining Memphis Jaren Jackson Jr. as the only finalists elected for both honors.

Towns won the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for the month of November 2021. At that time, he partnered with the Timberwolves and Hy-Vee in November to establish and host his Community Coat Drive to support homeless youth.

Karl-Anthony Towns has proven time and time again to be one of the most generous NBA players of his time, sharing both his time and his financial resources. . His dedication and actions have shown over this past year from promoting vaccination to his social justice efforts. Karl Anthony Towns IS The Peoples Champ.

The winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice award will be announced during the Western Conference Finals.