Juan Toscano-Anderson had a solid season for the Warriors on the court to say the least, carving out a vital role as a maximum-effort defender and energy source off the bench. But the Oakland native's efforts away from the court and in the Bay Area community have made him a finalist for an impactful new award in the NBA.
Toscano-Anderson is among five NBA players that were named finalists for the inaugural Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion honor, alongside Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday.
The new award will recognize an NBA player for "pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s decades-long values of equality, respect and inclusion."
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While the rest of the above players are All-Star selections who already have signed massive contracts, Toscano-Anderson was a two-way player for almost all of the past two seasons with the Warriors. His contract finally was converted on May 13, much to the delight of Dub Nation.
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Toscano-Anderson led multiple "Walk in Unity" events in Oakland last summer to encourage people to combat oppression, police brutality and social injustice.
As someone with both Black and Mexican-American heritage, Toscano-Anderson also has been an advocate for Latinx representation in basketball.
Golden State Warriors
In honor of where he grew up, Toscano-Anderson has chosen the East Oakland Youth Development Center as the recipient of the $100,000 charitable prize that comes if he is chosen.