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WNBA players participating in NBA Together initiative

Photo Credit: Lamar Carter

With sports put on the backburner to address the coronavirus pandemic, WNBA and NBA players are using their influence in other ways to get us through this agonizingly difficult period of uncertainty, grief and social separation.

After the league announced that the 2019-20 NBA season was put on pause due to Covid-19, it launched the NBA Together initiative that, according to an NBA release, “aims to support, engage, educate and inspire youth, families and fans in response to the coronavirus pandemic.”

There are four hallmarks of the initiative called Know The Facts, Acts of Caring, Expand Your Community and NBA Together Live. Over $30 million has been made by WNBA and NBA players and teams and the NBA’s community plans to raise over $50 million to support those affected by the pandemic.

Know the Facts – the NBA launched a Coronavirus Information for NBA fans page that is updated with information for fans on the latest Covid-19 developments. It is also working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization as well as former Surgeon General Vivek Murphy.

Acts of Caring hopes to put a spotlight on volunteer efforts and regular acts of kindness including, per the league release, online classes and grocery buying.

Expand Your Community is an initiative for fans to increase said communities “in an effort to stay physically and mentally healthy and active.” The NBA also announced “Jr. NBA at Home” for its younger fans to stay connected with the league and still sharpen their basketball skills. It is also work with its education partners to promote an enjoyable experience for students and their parents via the realm of at-home learning. The NBA will also partner with Headspace and Kaiser Permanente to provide mental health information.

NBA Together Live – weekdays at 3 p.m., an NBA or WNBA notable will engage with fans and classic games will be streamed on the NBA’s various social platforms. Turner Sports and the NBA is also offering League Pass free through April 22.
Among those in the WNBA who have already participated include the Indiana Fever’s Candice Dupree, the Washington Mystics’ Elena Delle Donne and the Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson. Stephen Curry also recently participated in a Q&A session with Dr. Anthony Fauci.

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