Fred VanVleet a finalist for the NBA’s social justice award

Scott Leber

2 years ago

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 20: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles around Shake Milton #18 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round at Scotiabank Arena on April 20, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)–Rockford native and Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet is up for another major NBA award. This one goes beyond the basketball court.

VanVleet is one of five finalists for the NBA’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. It goes to the player who best champions social justice.

In the past year alone has taken up many causes including creating the Fred VanVleet Scholarhip Fund which provides full academic scholarships to black or indigenous students who want to pursue a college degree in Canada. VanVleet has also distributed 1,000 backpacks to historically marginalized students in the Toronto area.

The other four finalists for the Abdul-Jabbar award are Reggie Bullock of the Mavericks, Jrue Holiday of the Bucks, Jaren Jackson of the Grizzlies, and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves.