Orlando Magic basketball player Jonathan Isaac was part of a delegation of NBA players who met this week with Pope Francis inside Vatican City.
The National Basketball Players Association met with Pope Francis and toured the Vatican on Monday.
Read: NBA players hailed by pope at Vatican for demanding justice
“We're extremely honored for this opportunity to come to the Vatican and share our experiences with @Pontifex. His openness and eagerness to discuss these issues was inspiring and a reminder that our work has had a global impact and must continue moving forward.” - @KyleKorver pic.twitter.com/2ljhzrDypQ
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) November 23, 2020
Isaac was joined by other players, including Sterling Brown of the Houston Rockets, Italian basketball player Marco Belinelli and several NBA officials.
Officials said the group met with the Pope to discuss issues of “social and economic injustice and inequality.”
Read: Pope book backs George Floyd protests, blasts virus skeptic
“This meeting validates the power of our players’ voices,” said Michele Roberts, Executive Director of the NBPA. “That one of the most influential leaders in the world sought to have a conversation with them demonstrates the influence of their platforms. I remain inspired by our players’ continued commitment to serve and support our community.”
Isaac made headlines in July when he was the only NBA player who stood during the national anthem before the Magic played the Brooklyn Nets, while all other players and coaches knelt.
Read: Jonathan Isaac stands alone during NBA national anthem, cites religious reasons
Isaac later explained in interviews that he chose not to kneel for religious reasons.
Cox Media Group
