Russell Westbrook, NBPA Partner to Create Social Justice Shirts

NBA players will get a chance to display additional social justice messages through shirts created by Russell Westbrook's clothing line, the Houston Rockets point guard announced Monday.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium first reported the partnership Sunday.

The NBA is allowing players to display social justice messages on the back of their jerseys during the restarted season in Orlando, Florida, although they have to choose from an agreed-upon list.

Some players complained about the limited options available, including Philadelphia 76ers forward Mike Scott.

"That was terrible. It was a bad list, bad choice, they didn't give players a chance to voice their opinion," Scott told reporters.

LeBron James, who has often used his platform to discuss social justice initiatives, decided against wearing a message on his jersey.

"It's just something that didn't really seriously resonate with my mission, with my goal," the Los Angeles Lakers star said on a video conference call.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, over 280 players had picked a social justice message to display on their jerseys.

The new shirts provide more options for players to make a statement through their clothing, especially regarding police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

They will be available through the "Honor the Gift" clothing line, which Westbrook created in 2018.