MIAMI, FL – The National Basketball Association announced today that Bam Adebayo has been named the 2026 NBA Social Justice Champion. The annual award honors a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy for advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically disadvantaged. The award also includes a $100,000 donation from the NBA to the Bam, Books & Brotherhood Foundation.
“I accept this award not just for myself, but for every voice that has gone unheard and every person working behind the scenes to create a more just and compassionate world,” said HEAT Center/Forward Bam Adebayo.
Pouring into the community every chance he gets ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XQXrrzBNY1
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 22, 2026
The Bam, Books & Brotherhood Foundation led multiple social justice-focused initiatives during the 2025-26 season, investing more than $550,000 into programs designed to expand access and opportunity for underserved youth and families. Among the many events, Adebayo provided mattresses, uniforms and school supplies for students at The SEED School of Miami, funded transportation for more than 19,000 students to attend the Miami Book Fair and hosted experiences designed to expose students to new opportunities and mentorship. He addressed food insecurity through large-scale holiday meal distributions and supports youth development programs including his Bam Basketball Camp and the Liberty City Warriors. He hosted over 2,000 students at his annual holiday toy drive on the Kaseya Center main court where children from underserved communities enjoyed a meal before choosing from more than 36,000 toys to take home, achieving a new Guinness World Record. He hosted a group of students at the Miami Open to engage in unique experiences and held a Giving Thanks Pop-Up in Liberty City giving over 1,800 residents access to free groceries, medical services, clothing and school supplies. He gifted 30 children a shopping spree at the NBA Store in New York and hosted student-athletes and coaches for an all-expenses-paid evening of skating and gaming in Washington, North Carolina. Adebayo flew in eight student-athletes and their chaperones from his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina for an exclusive game-day weekend to reward them for their hard work and academic achievement. The trip included a courtside home game, jerseys, meet-and-greet, a boat ride, a panel with his HEAT teammates and a cooking class. He also flew five student-athletes that were facing significant hardships to attend a Miami home game where they were recognized by Head Coach Erik Spoelstra and HEAT President Pat Riley about what it takes to be successful. Each student-athlete also received a care package that included Jordan 1 Retros, full uniforms and other essential items. Adebayo’s foundation also surprises fans at home games with seat upgrades throughout the season. Additionally, earlier this season, he was named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for December. It marked the 10th time and the sixth HEAT player to earn the monthly Community Assist Award, joining Dwyane Wade (four times), Alonzo Mourning (twice), Lamar Odom, Shaquille O’Neal and Daequan Cook.
"It started with my mom. That’s how the foundation started… It started behind her."
– 2026 NBA Social Justice champion, Bam Adebayo pic.twitter.com/TRug9qRskr
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 23, 2026
The Bam, Books & Brotherhood Foundation mission is to change lives for single parents while also changing future chances, choices and challenges for children. The Foundation is active year-round; more information can be found at www.thebbbfoundation.org.
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