NBA recognizes community work of Spurs’ Harrison Barnes

MINNEAPOLIS — Spurs forward Harrison Barnes embodies the biblical phrase John F. Kennedy famously used in a 1961 speech.

“For of those to whom much is given, much is required.”

“I live my dream every day. I get to go play basketball,” Barnes said, adding that he knows many people in San Antonio aren’t so fortunate. “So if I’m able to live my dream, what am I doing to give back to the community — for the people I see when I’m at the grocery story, when I’m at the gas station?”

The 33-year-old forward gave back back plenty this season, so much so that the NBA on Friday announced he is is one of five finalists for the 2026 Social Justice Champion Award along with Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Detroit’s Tobias Harris and Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr.

The winner will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy and a $100,000 donation from the league for a nonprofit of his choosing.

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The annual award is a nod to the 79-year-old six-time NBA champion whose life mission was to “engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically disadvantage,” the league said in a press release.

This is the sixth year the league has handed out the award. Barnes, a 14th-year pro in his second season with the Spurs, is a three-time nominee having been nominated twice when he was with Sacramento.

“Kareem is an unbelievable guy, player and person for what he stood for,” Barnes told the San Antonio Express-News on Friday before facing Minnesota in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifininals.

“Obviously, we don’t do our philanthropic endeavors for the purpose of this type of recognition,” Barnes added. “But to just be in that category (with the other nominees) and to be able to shed light on the organizations we’ve given to, it’s a blessing.”

Barnes said “we” because he shares the nomination with his wife.

“Brittany is definitely the heartbeat of all of our philanthropic endeavors,” he said. “From the time she spends with the people in these organizations, to the planning, to the showing up for a lot of different things, because my job doesn’t allow me to be at all of the events and do all the things, her heart is what really drives her. Anywhere we’ve been, anywhere she’s gone, she’s always tried to give back, whether that was in high school, college, or (during the couple’s NBA journey).”

The league drew the finalists from a pool of nominees submitted by its 30 teams. The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion selection committee, comprised of social justice leaders and members of the NBA family, made the selections. 

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In 2025-26, Barnes continued his career-long commitment to “educational equity, economic opportunity and youth development through sustained investments in underserved communities across San Antonio and beyond,” per the NBA. In doing so, he donated $150,000 to 10 San Antonio nonprofit organizations supporting mental health, housing stability, civic engagement and economic empowerment.

In January, Barnes made the single-largest contribution in the history of the San Antonio MLK Commission Scholarship Program with a $50,000 gift to support graduating seniors pursuing higher education.

“Harrison and his wife have sowed seeds in this community,” said Tyrone Darden, chairman of the MLK Commission’s scholarship program. “This is their M.O., this is what they do. They came to San Antonio and the first thing they did was look for something to support. And what I love is they operate under the radar. They aren’t saying, ‘Look at what we are doing.’ “

Barnes also tried to ease hunger this season by providing groceries and gift cards to nearly 200 families on the city’s East Side. He also expanded access to safe community spaces through a multi-city court refurbishment initiative in San Antonio, Austin and Saltillo, Mexico. As an inaugural NBA Foundation Board member, Barnes also supports national efforts focused on economic opportunity and career advancement for underserved communities.

Barnes first began giving back in the NBA after Golden State selected him seventh overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. Every step of the way since, during four seasons with the Warriors, three with Dallas, six with Sacramento and two in San Antonio, he’s worked to help the communities he’s called home. 

“The thing that speaks volumes about Harrison and Brittany is their consistency,” Spurs general manager Brian Wright said. “They take on so many initiatives to help the community and it’s incredibly impressive the way they go about trying to pour themselves into every community they’re a part of.”

Wright noted that Barnes goes about his community work the same way he approaches his job.

“A lot of stories get written about Harrison and his professionalism and they focus on his routine and how he is an iron man who plays every game and his consistency as a player,” Wright said. “But the bigger part of the story is he’s an even better person and his approach to being a part of the community. He understands how fortunate and blessed he has been throughout his life and he wants to make sure others who do not have those same opportunities get help. 

“They’re an incredible family. When you go to those events they are involved in, you see the smile on their faces, you see the joy it brings them. He understands his purpose and the bigger mission of being a professional athlete. He’s really left his mark on the community.”

Barnes said part of his motivation stems from his admiration for the fans.

“Even last year when we were losing, people were still showing us love and support, so it’s like how can we continue to show up for the community when they’re clearly showing up for my family and for us on an everyday basis,” he said.