Malcolm Brogdon, the Indiana Pacers’ 6’5” combo guard, won’t rejoin his squad until a week before his team’s scheduled game at the resumption of the 2019-2019 National Basketball Association.
One of three players recovering from injuries, Brogdon has joined protests in Atlanta, Georgia, following an invitation from Celtics’ wingman Jaylen Brown last week.
Brogdon, who is supporting protests against racial injustice and police brutality, said he will be back a week before their scheduled game. He said he will be inviting teammates to join him when another protest march takes place in Indiana.
“I plan to come back to Indiana a week before we are supposed to be back (to play). And just to be early before everybody gets back,” said Brogdon, who averaged 16.3 points and 4.7 rebounds right before the season was halted by postponements resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Brogdon talked about his plans during an online Zoom conference. The audio file of the web conference was shared to the Manila Standard by NBA Philippines.
Brogdon and Brown are currently the Vice Presidents of the NBA Players Association.
He has been communicating with Pacers’ president for basketball operations Kevin Pritchard daily on his activities, along with coach Nate McMillan.
The 27-year-old Brogdon credits his activism to his great grandparents, who were part of the civil rights’ movement in the United States.
“It’s been a part of my upbringing, part of my history,” said Brogdon.
Since May, the Indiana Pacers have started to get players back to practice at St. Vincent Center. Their sessions adhere to government and NBA guidance on social distancing and other health guidelines for COVID-19 prevention.
Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb have been spending time individually, undergoing rehabilitation for their injuries. Brogdon had a torn left thigh muscle, but says he is 100% ready to play.
On the other hand, Lamb, who needed surgery on his left knee for a torn ligament and and a broken leg bone, will be out for the season.
Their teammate Victor Oladipo is back from a right knee surgery and is training on his own in Orlando, Florida.