Celtics’ Jaylen Brown named a finalist for NBA Social Justice Champion award

Celtics guard Jaylen Brown was named one of five finalists for the NBA Social Justice Champion award, the league announced Friday.

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Brown has worked to promote economic equity and access to education in the Black and Brown communities by investing in entrepreneurship, ownership, and workforce development opportunities.

Through Boston XChange and the Boston Creator Accelerator, which Brown co-founded with the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund, Brown helped establish a $2.5 million capital pool supporting minority-owned businesses through funding, mentorship, and institutional partnerships.

He also has continued his 7uice Foundation Bridge Program for high school students across the country. During the 2025-26 season, 100 percent of Bridge participants were accepted to every college and university to which they applied.

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The other finalists are the Heat’s Bam Adebayo, the Spurs’ Harrison Barnes, the Pistons’ Tobias Harris, and Larry Nance Jr. of the Cavaliers. The winner, to be announced during the conference finals, will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy and a $100,000 donation from the NBA for a nonprofit of his choosing.

Former Celtics guard Jrue Holiday was last year’s recipient, which has been awarded since 2021.

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