By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times - Monday, April 8, 2019

In a piece for The Players’ Tribune, Utah Jazz guard Kyle Korver reflected on white privilege and race relations in the NBA. 

Korver, 38, said last month’s incident between a fan and Thunder star Russell Westbrook caused him to reflect on his role as a white man in the league, adding he has “more in common” with people in the crowd than players on the court.

“What I’m realizing is, no matter how passionately I commit to being an ally, and no matter how unwavering my support is for NBA and WNBA players of color….. I’m still in this conversation from the privileged perspective of opting in to it,” Korver said. “Which of course means that on the flip side, I could just as easily opt out of it. Every day, I’m given that choice — I’m granted that privilege — based on the color of my skin.”

The article, titled “Privilege,” touched upon a variety of topics, including his initial reaction to a teammates’ arrest in 2015. When Korver was with the Atlanta Hawks, teammate Thabo Sefolosha was arrested in New York for allegedly interfering with a crime scene.

But Sefolosha suffered a season-ending leg injury during the incident and was found not guilty on three misdemeanor charges. Sefolosha, who is black, filed a federal lawsuit against New York City, accusing police of excessive force and making a wrongful arrest. Sefolosha later earned $4 million in a settlement. 

Korver admitted he was “embarrassed” that his first thought to the incident was, “What was Thabo doing out at a club on a back-to-back?” rather than if his teammate was OK. 

Korver said he’s asked himself what he can do to be part of the solution. 

“I know that, as a white man, I have to hold my fellow white men accountable,” he said. “We all have to hold each other accountable. And we all have to be accountable — period. Not just for our own actions, but also for the ways that our inaction can create a ’safe’ space for toxic behavior.”

Korver received praised from LeBron James and others. James and Korver played together in Cleveland. 

• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.

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