Utah Jazz Guard Donovan Mitchell Involved In NBA, NBPA Meeting To Discuss Social Justice Efforts

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and other players met with NBA officials to discuss the league’s efforts regarding issues of social justice.

On Tuesday, June 23, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association met to discuss those issues.

Mitchell and several players took part in the meeting to “address the game’s role in facilitating solutions to the persistent inequities plaguing the Black community.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and other league officials met with NBPA executive director Michele Roberts, NBPA president and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul, NBPA first vice president and Miami Heat forward Andre Iguodala, as well as Mitchell and several other players.

NBA and NBPA Advance Talks on Social Justice Efforts

Link to the full press release here: https://t.co/YfeX5vhH37

— NBPA (@TheNBPA) June 24, 2020

In addition to the Jazz guard, Malcolm Brogdon of the Indiana Pacers, CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks were involved in the meeting.

The NBPA released a statement following the meeting and said that “while specific plans were not finalized, there was broad alignment about the direction and priorities of the efforts, especially with regard to supporting players’ activism and leadership.”

Determination Over Negativity 💯

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 24, 2020

“The issues of systemic racism and police brutality in our country need to end,” Paul said in the statement. “As a union of NBA players and as a league, it is our job to use our collective platform to both put a spotlight on those issues and work to effect change.  As players, we have taken a leadership role when it comes to using our voices and implementing practical solutions, but there is much work ahead both in Orlando and long-term to continue the momentum and bring about real, long-lasting change to our society.”

“The league and the players are uniquely positioned to have a direct impact on combating systemic racism in our country, and we are committed to collective action to build a more equal and just society,” Silver said in the statement. “A shared goal of our season restart will be to use our platform in Orlando to bring attention to these important issues of social justice. We look forward to engaging in ongoing conversations with the players and their Association about our joint leaguewide initiative and thank Michele, Chris and the other players for their leadership toward creating meaningful, long-term change.”

The Players Association said that “conversations regarding these efforts will be ongoing, and additional details will be released at a later date.”