Report: NBA Unlikely to Allow Police-Brutality Victims' Names on Restart Jerseys

A proposal discussed by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association that would have allowed players to honor the victims of police brutality by putting their names on their uniforms during the league's restart next month reportedly is considered unlikely to move forward.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported the discussions were "extremely complex," with the union wanting to express sensitivity to the families affected. The report says some within the union were concerned about causing "unnecessary pain" for families whose loved ones were not selected for a jersey.

Talks had centered on the families of the victims being able to select the player(s) they wanted to represent their loved one.

WNBA forward Angel McCoughtry is credited with popularizing the idea after posting a concept jersey on her Instagram and creating a Change.org petition for fans to sign in support of the proposal last week. The idea gained steam within the WNBA and NBA, as the two leagues continue discussing ways to honor social justice movements when their leagues resume play.

ESPN's Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelburne reported the NBA will have "Black Lives Matter" painted on both sides of the court when the league returns July 30 in Orlando, Florida. The NBA and NBPA are also discussing other ways they can push social justice initiatives, a major concern for players as they prepare to return to play.

Protests against police brutality and systemic racism have been ongoing since George Floyd's killing while in police custody on Memorial Day. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after kneeling on Floyd's neck during an arrest for nearly nine minutes despite Floyd telling him he couldn't breathe.