Last week, the NBA and NBA Players Association reportedly agreed on the messages that players could wear on the back of their jerseys in lieu of their names once the league restarts in Disney World at the end of July. It was a decision made as the league continues to seek ways to keep the spotlight on the Black Lives Matter movement going on across the globe.
Lonzo Ball has been one of the more vocal players on the Pelicans during recent months with regards to social justice issues. After taking part in a protest in Chino Hills, Ball was named to the Social Justice Leadership Coalition with teammate JJ Redick and New Orlean Saint Demario Davis.
Ball also will be one of the players in Orlando who will have a phrase on the back of his jersey. He revealed on Monday during his media availability the two phrases he selected.
“I submitted ‘Equality’ to be on mine so we’ll see if I can get that. If not, I think the second one was ‘Black Lives Matter.’ So one of those should be on it.”
Ball also discussed whether the NBA should continue allowing phrases to be on the back of jerseys past the league’s abbreviated season in Orlando.
“I think a lot of players are going to do it. I know our whole team wants to do it. Hopefully the rest of the league buys in and takes part in the movement. As far as next year, I’m not sure. It would be nice, I feel like, for it to keep going moving forward.”
The NBA’s approved list allows for multiple kinds of messages, though the available phrases is rather limited. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, here is the list of approved phrases:
- Black Lives Matter
- Say Their Names
- Vote
- I Can’t Breathe
- Justice
- Peace
- Equality
- Freedom
- Enough
- Power to the People
- Justice Now
- Say Her Name
- Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can)
- Liberation
- See Us
- Hear Us
- Respect Us
- Love Us
- Listen
- Listen to Us
- Stand Up
- Ally
- Anti-Racist
- I Am A Man
- Speak Up
- How Many More
- Group Economics
- Education Reform
- Mentor
The Pelicans are set to travel to Orlando on Wednesday and, if no player tests positive, will begin practicing on Friday.