In his prime, Kenny "The Jet" Smith was one of the NBA's most fierce sharpshooters. Now, as a retired analyst, he's firing a major shot at current NBA players.
The television personality hosted a Facebook Live chat on Monday afternoon challenging black NBA players to give 10 percent of their salary towards causes that empower the black community.
“6 percent of the country make up 74 percent of the NBA. 74 percent has an availability of $90 million per team. There comes a social, economic responsibility with that and I am sorry it has to be you,” Smith said.
The challenge comes in the aftermath of police-involved shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota that have rocked the nation. Smith says these events portray the societal divide that exists between poor African-Americans and the rest of the world.
“We are in a societal undercurrent trying to figure out how to get pulled up.” Smith continued saying, "if you have social and economic power and education power, you become important."
Smith says he will form a committee that will guide players to specific organizations that are directly helping their respective community's most needy individuals. He also says he will work with the NBA and major sponsors to garner support.
Sponsors of star NBA players will be asked to go dollar for dollar for the programs their endorsed players support.
"We just need to know who is standing with you to socially and economically empower people and those who aren’t," said Smith.
Under Adam Silver, the league hasn't shied away from political issues. On Christmas Day, PSAs endorsing gun control ran on television featuring star players and victims of gun violence.
NBA players such as Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have also come out to voice their thoughts about the recent shootings.
Smith issued his challenge saying, “the ball is in your hand, the 24 second clock is running down, its now time to be poised to understand what you can do and how you can make a difference.”
