The NBA honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by remembering his proclamation “The time is always right to do what is right.” This call-to-action invites everyone to embody Dr. King’s legacy through action that answers the needs of today.
Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the continued responsibility to protect and promote freedom and justice for all people. Dr. King, other historic civil rights activists, as well as present-day leaders, understand there is always a role for everyone to positively contribute to society.
You can make a difference. Start by learning some of the history of Dr. King, the intersection of social justice and basketball and check out various educational and volunteer resources.
Click on each pathway to learn more.
You can make a difference. Start by learning some of the history of Dr. King, the intersection of social justice and basketball and check out various educational and volunteer resources.
Click on each pathway to learn more.
The NBA Honors Dr. King
For decades, Dr. King’s speech was in the possession of former collegiate basketball player and coach George Raveling, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, who was volunteering as security at the 1963 March on Washington.
Raveling was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Villanova University in 1963 when he traveled to Washington, D.C., to hear Dr. King speak. As security, he was on stage with the likes of John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph and King. According to Raveling, only pure impulse compelled him to ask King for his copy of the speech, and King gave it to him.
In 2021, Raveling donated the “I Have a Dream” speech to his alma mater, Villanova University. In this photo, George Raveling poses with the original typewritten speech manuscript.
(Source: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.)
Raveling was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Villanova University in 1963 when he traveled to Washington, D.C., to hear Dr. King speak. As security, he was on stage with the likes of John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph and King. According to Raveling, only pure impulse compelled him to ask King for his copy of the speech, and King gave it to him.
In 2021, Raveling donated the “I Have a Dream” speech to his alma mater, Villanova University. In this photo, George Raveling poses with the original typewritten speech manuscript.
(Source: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.)
Basketball Coach George Raveling Possessed an Original Copy of the ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
There are multiple instances during which Rev. Dr. King proclaimed ‘the time is always right to do what is right.’ During the summer of 1965, he told the crowd that ‘now is the time for change.’
Watch the clip.
Watch the clip.
Dr. King Declares ‘The Time is Always Right to do What is Right’
NBA Legends Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul Jabbar and NFL Legend Jim Brown participated in the 1967 Cleveland Summit. As Muhammad Ali faced jail time for refusing to be drafted into the military during the Vietnam War, Jim Brown led this meeting of prominent athletes as a unified front in support of Ali. This happened shortly after Martin Luther King Jr.’s anti-Vietnam War speech. The Summit marks a historic moment for the intersection of civil rights and sport.
(Source: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.)
In October 2023, the Cleveland Cavaliers with the CL3 Alliance (Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians), American Cancer Society, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition and Marcus Graham Project unveiled the 1967 Cleveland Summit sculpture and announced the continuation of the 1967 Cleveland Summit. Read more.
(Source: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.)
In October 2023, the Cleveland Cavaliers with the CL3 Alliance (Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians), American Cancer Society, the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition and Marcus Graham Project unveiled the 1967 Cleveland Summit sculpture and announced the continuation of the 1967 Cleveland Summit. Read more.
NBA Legends at the 1967 Cleveland Summit
For decades, the NBA has honored the legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1968, Oscar Robertson organized a benefit game in Dr. King’s honor which featured 27 players. NBA games on MLK Day have been a tradition since 1986. NBA teams also have their own MLK Day traditions. For example, this year, the Memphis Grizzlies are hosting their 23rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in partnership with the National Civil Rights Museum, the City of Memphis and Shelby County. This is a time to celebrate Dr. King and honor various sport and social justice pioneers.
Furthermore, in 2020, the Atlanta Hawks honored the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the first-ever MLK Nike City Edition uniforms; this was also the first time in the league’s history that an individual’s initials were prominently featured on an official NBA jersey.
Furthermore, in 2020, the Atlanta Hawks honored the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the first-ever MLK Nike City Edition uniforms; this was also the first time in the league’s history that an individual’s initials were prominently featured on an official NBA jersey.
The NBA Honors Dr. King Since 1968
Listen to various players and coaches around the NBA reflect upon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and how youth can exercise their voice to positively impact their communities.
MLK Reflections Across the NBA
Reflections on Dr. King
One Word to Describe Dr. King
Youth Impacting Their Community
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Bayard Rustin led the planning and strategizing of the march.
(Source: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and NPR)
(Source: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and NPR)
The 1963 March on Washington
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THANKS FOR JOURNEYING IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR AND NBA
The time is always right to further educate yourself and make a difference. Visit NBA.com/mlk to learn more about the Dr. King’s legacy and find various community events in honor of King Day 2025.
THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT