HEAR OUR STORIES

The Power of Basketball: NBA Players, Coaches, and Team Governors on the Fight to Make a Better America.

POB is a collection of essays by NBA & WNBA players, coaches, and team governors about their personal journeys in social justice–released by the Coalition, the Vera Institute of Justice, and The New Press.

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION

On September 12th, 2024, the Coalition and Vera Institute held with a pre-release book launch event in partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment—tipping off the conversation with a panel featuring book contributor Malcolm Brogdon (Knicks Guard), author and social impact leader Alencia Johnson, and our Executive Director James Cadogan.

Share your reflections about the book on social media, tag @nbacoalition, and include #PowerOfBasketball!

Roster of Authors

Criminal Justice

“ I knew that once I broke the cycle of crime and violence in my own family, I would use my voice to help other people like me break the cycle too. None of us are past redemption.” — Caron Butler

Malcolm Brogdon, New York Knicks Guard — Advancing Fair Youth Justice

Caron Butler, Miami Heat Assistant Coach — Alternatives to Youth Incarceration

CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards Guard — Excessive Youth Punishment

Larry Nance, Jr., Cleveland Cavaliers Forward — Food Insecurity & Justice

Clara Wu Tsai, New York Liberty Governor — Promoting Economic Justice

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Voting Rights

“I firmly believe that there is no greater privilege than exercising your right to vote—your vote is your voice in shaping the future.” — Vivek Ranadivé

Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic Head Coach — Protecting Ballot Access

Vivek Ranadivé, Sacramento Kings Chairman — Exercising Your Right to Vote

Policing

“Justice is not just a one season thing. It is not a trend. It is not a moment…We cannot sit on the sidelines and expect change…Until there is true justice, we must fight for it.” — Tierra Ruffin-Pratt

J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pisons Head Coach — Need for Policing Reform

Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach — Strengthening Police & Community Relations

Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Washington Mystics Guard, LA Sparks (Ret. 2022) — Accountable Policing

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Community Safety

“My daughters, the kids of Uvalde, and kids in every community deserve to dream, to grow old, to build community, and to have children of their own someday. We can act. We can prevent gun violence.” — Tre Jones

Steve Ballmer, LA Clippers Chairman — Community Violence Intervention

Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls Guard — Trauma-informed Responses to Violence

Governing an NBA team is about more than just winning; it’s also about creating a positive impact and getting wins in the community. We have a unique platform through which we can help change the world for the better.

Steve Ballmer, Los Angeles Clippers Chairman
Founding Coalition Board Member
+ PEOPLE POWER + PUBLIC POLICY + POWER OF BASKETBALL + PEOPLE POWER + PUBLIC POLICY + POWER OF BASKETBALL+ PEOPLE POWER + PUBLIC POLICY + POWER OF BASKETBALL + PEOPLE POWER + PUBLIC POLICY + POWER OF BASKETBALL

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