Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher nominated for NBA Social Justice Award
One of the Toronto Raptors’ best-known players is up for a major NBA award as a way to recognize his work in the local community.
Chris Boucher was nominated for the NBA’s 2024-25 Social Justice Champion Award, “advancing economic and racial justice through youth empowerment, focusing on Black and Caribbean youth in Canada who face systemic barriers to education, mental health support, and economic opportunity,” reads an NBA release.
Boucher was nominated alongside four other players: Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs, Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics, CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans, and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat.
The award has been given out by the NBA since 2021, with Karl-Anthony Towns, Stephen Curry, Reggie Bullock, and Carmelo Anthony the previous winners.
NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum, NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, human rights activist Dr. Richard Lapchick, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, and UnidosUS President and CEO Janet MurguĂa made up the panel selecting the award.
The winner will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy as well as US$100,000 towards an organization of their choice.
Boucher’s SlimmDuck Foundation has partnered with brands like Puma, Subway, Kids Help Phone, United Way Greater Toronto, Canadian Mental Health Association, 211, and the Montreal Community Cares Foundation, while contributing over US$10,000 in scholarships to Canadian youth.
He has also hosted basketball camps and focused on mental health advocacy, community programming, and girls’ education in STEM, having donated 15+ computer monitors and equipment.
Boucher is the Raptors’ longest-tenured active player, having first joined the franchise during their championship-winning year of 2019. A native of St. Lucia who grew up in Montreal and was homeless at points during his youth, Boucher has spoken on many occasions on the importance of giving back to his community.
An unrestricted free agent heading into this summer, the 32-year-old’s future with the Raptors is still uncertain, though it’s clear his roots run deep throughout the country.