By Jackson Wolff
Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, the NBA has suspended its season until further notice, but that has not stopped teams and players from making a difference. From rookies to NBA legends, the basketball community is making it a point to help those who need it most.
All 30 NBA teams have established plans to help their arena workers continue to be paid during the outbreak. Players such as rookie sensation Zion Williamson have joined in on supporting their arena staff as well. Rudy Gobert donated $500,000 to coronavirus related social services. Many stars are donating $100,000 to their local cities, including Kris Middleton, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, and Karl Anthony-Towns.
Certain players are going above and beyond to help the cause. Two-time MVP Steph Curry has donated one million dollars to food banks in San Francisco, and other players like Zach Lavine and Jonathon Isaac have pledged to provide meals to their areas.
Another standout supporter has been Anthony Davis who has done lots to support the workers at the STAPLES Center. Davis has partnered with Lineage to help find jobs for arena workers in need and pledged the $250,000 to help cover salaries.
Philadelphia players have also done a lot to help. 76ers star Joel Embiid has donated $500,000 to help Wells Fargo Center employees and local coronavirus relief centers. In addition, All-Star point guard, Ben Simmons, entered the Fanatics “All-In” challenge, giving fans a chance to enter a sweepstake to play a game of basketball with him. All the money spent on tickets to enter was given to organizations such as “No Kid Hungry” and “Feeding America.”
Other “All-In” challenge sweepstakes include a meet and greet with Kevin Love and the Cavaliers, and a 1-day contract to practice with the Dallas Mavericks.
Across the league, NBA teams and players have been supporting their local cities and the country, through donating, raising money, and boosting morale during this difficult time. When then cannot make points on the court, these players are certainly scoring a lot of points off the court by being a bright light for people around the world.