A call to all Black NBA players…
A call that cannot be ignored…
A call to to take back “our” communities.
On Monday, former NBA sharpshooter Kenny “The Jet” Smith didn’t wait for President Barack Obama’s annual State of the Union address, he took matters into his own hand and he created his own address aimed at America’s wealthiest Black men.
Through social media Smith told African-American NBA players “If you make up 74 percent of the NBA, of the $90 million dollars per team that is available that means you are the richest black men in the country in your group.”
Smith discussed the vast possibilities of what this money could do for disadvantaged communities.
Smith said “We talk about All Lives Matter but How Lives Matter is more important. This is through education and social economic power. If you have social and economic power and education power, you become important.”
10 percent. 10 percent of African-American NBA players salaries Smith wants to flow back into programs into communities across the country. Smith emphasized he wants players to allocate this 10 percent not simply donate it. Smith said, “you give 10 percent to your agent and all he does is a phone call. 10 of salary should be dedicated to programming inside the communities you live in or you can affect.”
Smith’s overall message was about inclusion. Smith said “ [the] 24 second clock is now running down and it’s time to be poised to understand what you can do and how you can make a difference.”
Smith isn’t just about talk. He eludes his own message through giving back to communities through the Coors Light Full Court reFRESH program. In a recent interview I conducted with Smith he explained how this program is just one of many NBA players could get involved in to give back to streets that raised them and need them.
For the third year, the NBA on TNT analyst is apart of this program that will donate up to $100,000 to make up the courts. Smith said, “This is not about pushing or selling product. It’s a great way to give back to the community as basketball courts are a centerpiece of communities and it’s a great thing to invest in as a way to feel that someone cares about you.”
Coors Light will donate up to $100,000 to make over community basketball courts in Oakland, New Orleans, Sacramento, and Chicago. Though using the hashtags #FullCourtreFRESH and #Over21 Coors Light will donate one dollar per tweet, equaling up to $25,000 per city.
Smith said, “[the ] basketball court is a great outlet for you as so many things occur on the court. I remember growing up courts were also used for arts and crafts, music, boxing, and volleyball etc. Refurbishing these courts help them to be aesthetically be pleasing to feel welcoming for members of the community.”
I asked if the media had an obligation to better highlight the positives NBA players are doing in communities. Smith, “I didn’t need anyone to shed light in the STEM program I put my 8-year-old son in, I just needed the opportunity. It’s about the opportunity.”
So, what can we expect next from Smith?
Continuing to lead by example and saying around the game of course.
Smith said, “Expect me in basketball where my biggest voice comes from the sport on television, or on the sideline or possibly ownership of my own team at some point.”
