UNC Basketball: Reggie Bullock selected as NBA Award finalist

Former UNC basketball standout Reggie Bullock has been selected as one of the finalists for the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award. 

The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award is one that represents the NBA’s most impactful social justice advocates who are continuing the league’s tradition of activism.

On Tuesday, the NBA announced this year’s finalists, a list that includes a former UNC basketball standout.

Former Tar Heel and current Dallas Maverick Reggie Bullock is one of five finalists for the 2021-2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award. Bullock was selected by a pool of team nominees by the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion selection committee, a group comprised of social justice leaders and members of the NBA family.

The winner of this year’s award will be announced on TNT during the Western Conference Finals. This year’s recipient will receive a $100,000 donation from the NBA for a social justice organization of their choosing, while the remaining finalists will receive a $25,000 donation that will go to an organization of their choice on their behalf.

Here’s more information on why the former Tar Heel standout was selected as a finalist for this year’s award:

"Reggie Bullock has been an avid advocate for LGBTQ equity throughout his NBA career, continuing his efforts with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2021-22 season.  Following the 2014 murder of his sister Mia Henderson, who was transgender, Bullock has focused on acceptance of all people by working to create truly inclusive communities through neighborhood engagement and national efforts around the LGBTQ movement, including participating in the NYC Pride March, the GLAAD Media Awards and NBA events for LGBTQ youth and allies.  Upon joining the Mavericks in August of 2021, he forged new relationships with organizations that work in the LGBTQ space in the greater Dallas area, including Abounding Prosperity, Dallas Southern Pride, House of Rebirth, The Black-Tie Dinner, the Resource Center and the Muhlashia Booker Foundation.Most recently, as part of the Mavs Take ACTION! initiative, Bullock participated in a courageous conversation as part of the HUDDLE series to uplift the Trans community, amplify community organizations who are working to support and protect LGBTQ individuals and create opportunities for allyship.  Joined by Stephanie Houston, Founder of the Muhlashia Booker Foundation and Leslie McMurray, Transgender Education & Advocacy Associate, he fondly remembers his sister Mia and how the personal tragedy motivated him to use his platform as a professional athlete to advocate equal rights and visibility for the LGBTQ community.  The session, titled Voices Unheard, Uplifting Trans Perspectives, was released on National Day of Trans Visibility on March 31, 2022.  Additionally, Bullock created RemarkaBULL, an organization focused on developing revitalized spaces for a stable life in the LGBTQ community and continues to advocate for equal rights and protections for the individuals, including writing an open letter to the NCAA protesting Idaho’s House Bill 500.  Bullock has selected Kinston Teens as the recipient of his donation."

Whether he takes home the award or ends up being a finalist, Bullock continues to use his platform to make a difference. Although he certainly does not do all this work for his own personal benefit, it’s great to see that he’s being recognized for his efforts to be an advocate for various groups and organizations during his professional basketball career.

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