On Monday, second-year player Hamidou Diallo let it be known that he intended to exercise his right to replace the last name appearing on his jersey while playing in Orlando.
The 21-year-old decided on “Black Lives Matters”, and teammate Dennis Schroder will follow his lead.
On Tuesday, Schroder addressed reporters from Orlando and, as he was letting it be known that he will be leaving in a few weeks for the birth of he and his wife’s second child, he made the announcement.
Schroder now joins Diallo and Chris Paul as members of the Thunder who have announced their intentions to exercise their right to protest, although Paul has opted to wear “Equality” on the back of his jersey.
Aside from “Black Lives Matter,” and “Equality,” players will also be permitted to use one of the following phrases: Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; Freedom; Enough; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can); Liberation; See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Listen; Listen to Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economics; Education Reform; and Mentor.
In the coming days and weeks, it’s likely that other members of the club will exercise their right, as well.
The Thunder will play their first exhibition game in Orlando on July 24 when they square off against the Boston Celtics. They’ll then begin their schedule of eight seeding games on Aug. 1 when they see Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz.
