Bucks will take messages for social change onto the court

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks team members will join other NBA players who plan to put messages for social change on the back of their jerseys once games resume at the end of the month.

Both Kyle Korver and Khris Middleton will substitute “Black Lives Matter” for their names on their jerseys.

“I think it’s the most important thing for people to realize,” Middleton said Monday. “That our lives do matter. That’s why I went with it.”

Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, his brother, Thanasis, and other players have another plan.

“On the back of my jersey is gonna be ‘Equality,’” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s what we decided, a majority of the team. So that’s what me and Thanasis are going to wear on the back of our jersey.”

Antetokounmpo said it was a personal choice, the Journal Sentinel reported.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer supports the jersey messages.

“I think a lot of our players will do it,” Budenholzer said. “I think it’s very important for our league, for our entire organization, that we continue to have this conversation. That we keep fighting for social equality, social justice. It’s very important.”

Twenty-two NBA teams, including the Bucks, are currently in a protective environment at Disney World near Orlando for practices ahead of the games restarting.