Sacramento Kings and Incarcerated Individuals Come Together For First NBA ‘Play For Justice’ Event at Folsom State Prison

Dec. 12, 2019
NBA.com

Today, the Sacramento Kings, with the REPRESENT JUSTICE Campaign tipped off a series of basketball games at correctional facilities between incarcerated individuals and NBA players and coaches. Players and coaches from the Kings sat down for a facilitated conversation with incarcerated people at the Folsom State Prison and members of the REPRESENT JUSTICE Campaign, who are themselves formerly incarcerated. Following the conversation, players and coaches served as honorary coaches during an hour-long basketball game for roundtable participants.

Today’s game at the Folsom State Prison was organized by the REPRESENT JUSTICE Campaign, in partnership with One Community, working with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) and the Kings. The Campaign organized the Play for Justice initiative to advance the goals of uplifting narratives of hope and redemption to break down stigmas associated with individuals – disproportionately people of color and the poor – who are impacted by the criminal justice system.

“We’re proud to be the first participant in the Play for Justice initiative, which is shining a bright light on the unique issues facing incarcerated people in communities around the country,” said Vivek Ranadivé, Chairman, CEO and Governor of the Sacramento Kings. “Sports franchises have a unique opportunity to bring about positive change, which is why in the past year, the Kings and the Bucks brought together leaders from across two cities to share best practices and find new solutions to social injustices. This collaboration with REPRESENT JUSTICE is another example of how we can use our platforms for good.”

“I’ve joined the Represent Justice Campaign because after being sentenced to life in prison and now free, I want people to see that I am the reflection, not the exception, of humanity that’s hidden inside our prison walls. In starting and leading a successful justice reform organization, I want to share my story so that redemption and second chances are driving values in the effort to reform our legal system,” said Adnan Khan, a REPRESENT JUSTICE Campaign surrogate, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Re:Store Justice, who will be participating in the Sacramento Kings activation. “With the support of the players involved in Play for Justice, we are taking our message of humanizing system-impacted people far and wide.”

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