NBA players have not been shy about speaking out against the violence that has taken place in Minneapolis over the past few weeks. The latest incident occurred over the weekend when officers killed Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, not too far from the Target Center where the Timberwolves play.
The killing comes just two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot in her car as she drove away from officers following a confrontation.
The Timberwolves and Warriors postponed their game due to the killing, and many people with platforms have spoken out, including NBA players. After their game against the New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox questioned why there hasn’t been an investigation launched into the killing.
“We have a stand your ground law here, right?” Fox said. “I don’t know, how many of you all own guns? I own guns. We all know ‘KJ’ (Spurs forward Keldon Johnson) owns guns. But imagine someone breaks into your house and you shoot ’em in the back, right? Probably neutralized. Then you’re like, ah, (expletive), let’s empty the entire clip. … You would at least be charged and have to go through that process.
“So that’s a bit crazy, right? I’d be charged if I shot someone in the back, they fall. And then even if it’s in my house, even if I’m protecting my property and then I decide I want to empty the entire clip. That’s where you get to excessive force and all these other things.”
Julian Champagnie also spoke out about the incident and said he stands with the protestors in Minneapolis.
“It is an unfortunate situation that’s going on over there and across the whole states with the violence,” Champagnie said via Tim Orsborn of Express News.
Players on other teams have also spoken out, such as Tyrese Haliburton and Stephen Curry.