Juan Toscano-Anderson did not take home the NBA's first-ever Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award, as Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony was announced as the winner on Tuesday. However, that presented an opportunity for the inspiring Warriors' forward to again showcase why he also was a deserving candidate.
"In this situation, there are no losers, as we all have been acknowledged for our social work," Toscano-Anderson wrote on Twitter. "This will provide more opportunities for all of us who strive to do more to better our communities and make the world a better place for everyone."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
A finalist alongside Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris and Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Toscano-Anderson's NBA résumé doesn't quite match up to his counterparts, but he was worthy of inclusion due to his work away from the court.
RELATED: JTA hopes to follow in Iguodala's footsteps for Warriors
Toscano-Anderson led multiple "Walk in Unity" events in Oakland last summer to encourage people to combat oppression, police brutality and social injustice. The East Bay native, who is of both Black and Mexican-American heritage, also has been an advocate for Latinx representation in basketball.
The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award recognizes an NBA player for "pursuing social justice and upholding the league’s decades-long values of equality, respect and inclusion." Toscano-Anderson seems likely to stick with Golden State for the foreseeable future, and it certainly wouldn't be surprising if he won the award down the line.
Golden State Warriors
Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
