DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks' guard-forward Reggie Bullock has won the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award.
Earlier on Sunday, Bullock posted an image of the award with his name engraved on it on his Instagram page. He wrote: "Super honored to have won this award! My platform isn't taken for granted and I'll continue to keep inspiring and doing what's right for my ppl."
Prior to the 8 p.m. tipoff against the Golden State Warriors, the Dallas Mavericks congratulated Bullock and released a video of Abdul-Jabbar presenting him with the award.
Bullock was announced as a finalist for the award last Monday as the NBA commended his impact on the Dallas area, specifically within the LGBTQ community.
The award celebrates players who have made strides in fighting for social justice and advocating for equality.
In just his first year on the Mavs, the league said Bullock has helped numerous organizations such as Abounding Prosperity, Dallas Southern Pride, the Black-Tie Dinner and the Muhlaysia Booker Foundation, which was founded in honor of a transgender woman who was murdered in Dallas.
"I had the chance to be a part of an important conversation surrounding transgender awareness with Reggie back in March and we quickly connected," said Stephanie Houston, mother of Muhlaysia Booker. "We have a similar story and connection with the loss of our loved ones to senseless violence."
"We look forward to working closely with Reggie and the Dallas Mavs as we bring awareness to this cause that is so badly needed," said Ahmad Goree, president of the Muhlaysia Booker Foundation. "I would hope that more NBA players and other professional athletes and teams would do the same as Reggie and the Mavs."
Bullock also started an organization called RemarkaBULL, which provides housing and support to LGBTQ community members in need.
The NBA said the 31-year-old's push for LGBTQ equity stems from the 2014 murder of his sister, Mia Henderson, who was transgender.
"We are all one, and I believe love lies in everybody’s heart," Bullock said in a statement to the NBA. "It’s incredibly important to me as a cisgender athlete to stand in support of the trans and LGBTQ+ community."
Bullock will also receive a $100,000 donation from the NBA to the organization of his choice. According to the league, Bullock will be donating that money to Kinston Teens, a youth organization located in his hometown in North Carolina.
Bullock is just the second player to win the social justice award since its inception in 2021. Los Angeles Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony was the first winner.
Other finalists included Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday, Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns and Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet.
