Ben McLemore to wear customized social justice shoes at NBA restart

One of Ben McLemore’s sneakers has “Black Lives Matter” inscribed on it in large font, while the other says “Equality.”

On Saturday, Houston Rockets guard Ben McLemore said he hadn’t yet decided what social justice message — if any — that he would wear on the back of his jersey once the NBA restarts its season.

The 27-year-old does, however, already have custom sneakers lined up.

Houston graphic artist Terence Tang designed special shoes for McLemore to wear in Florida beginning this month, with “Black Lives Matter” inscribed on one sneaker and “Equality” on the other.

“I’ve wanted to do sneaker art for NBA players for a really long time,” Tang told Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. “To have it convey such a strong and meaningful message, that’s just icing on the cake.”

McLemore wore the sneakers at Saturday’s practice, which was the team’s first since March. He then showed video on his Twitter page.

McLemore and the Rockets (40-24) will resume their 2019-20 regular season later this month on Friday, July 31 versus Dallas, with scrimmages against other teams starting a week earlier.

McLemore has averaged 9.8 points in 22.8 minutes per game this season, and at 39.5% from 3-point range, he’s the team’s best long-range shooter among consistent rotation players. Considering the Rockets take more 3-pointers than any NBA team, that makes McLemore a critical piece as Houston gears up for the long awaited restart of its season.

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