JAKARTA - Five NBA players met Pope Francis at the Vatican, Monday, November 23 to discuss social justice issues. This is done after last season the players who took part in the most prestigious competition in the world voiced their efforts to fight racial inequality.
The players who met the Pope were Anthony Tolliver, Kyle Korver, Sterling Brown, Jonathan Isaac and Marco Belinelli. They were accompanied by National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Executive Director Michele Roberts and NBPA Head of International Relations Matteo Zuretti Sherrie Deans.
"We are very honored to have this opportunity to come to the Vatican and share our experiences with Pope Francis," said Milwaukee Bucks small forward Kyle Elliot Korver as quoted by Antara, Tuesday.
"His openness and desire to discuss these issues is very inspiring and a reminder that our work has a global impact and must keep moving forward," he said.
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the association for professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Founded in 1954, the NBPA's mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of players, amplify the power of the collective will, and strengthen the voices of players as leaders who transcend the issues of sport and society globally.
Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to people, communities and organizations around the world who seek to improve the lives of those in need.
Five NBA players and several officials from the NBPA met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday to discuss their work on social justice issues. (Via Vatican TV) pic.twitter.com/ThM2NWroYM
- NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 23, 2020
"Today's meeting was an extraordinary experience," said Memphis Grizzlies forward Tolliver.
"With the Pope's support and blessings, we are very excited to enter a revived next season to continue to drive change and unite our community," said Tolliver.
Video of the meeting posted on the NBPA website shows players giving gifts to the Pope including the Orlando Magic jersey.
NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said the meeting validated the power of the players' voices on various social issues.
"One of the most influential leaders in the world trying to talk to them shows the influence of their platform," said Roberts.
“We're extremely honored for this opportunity to come to the Vatican and share our experiences with @Pontifex. His openness and eagerness to discuss these issues was inspiring and a reminder that our work has had a global impact and must continue moving forward. " - @KyleKorver pic.twitter.com/2ljhzrDypQ
- NBPA (@TheNBPA) November 23, 2020
"I remain inspired by our players' ongoing commitment to serving and supporting our community."
The basketball league and its players stepped up their call for system-wide reform last season following the death of George Floyd in May, a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis in an incident captured on video.
The COVID-19 intervening season continues within the bio-secure bubble in Florida with players wearing a social justice message on their shirts and "Black Lives Matter" being printed on the basketball court.
The new NBA regular season is scheduled to start on December 22nd.
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