Earlier this week, former NBA player Stephen Jackson confirmed that Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving bought a house for the family of George Floyd. Jackson confirmed the act of charity in an appearance on “The Rematch” podcast.
Jackson, who was a friend of the late Floyd, said, “Kyrie Irving bought them a house. Lil Wayne’s manager bought them a Mercedes-Benz. Barbra Streisand gave them stock in Disney.” Being a close friend, Jackson made it his personal mission to voice the concerns of African-Americans especially in relation to police brutality. He also said he will take it upon himself to watch over Floyd’s daughter, Gianna Floyd, after George’s death.
George Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man who was killed last Memorial Day, by a white Minneapolis police officer by kneeling on his neck for seven minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd’s death led to widespread protests against police brutality and discrimination against African-Americans around the United States.
Irving made the purchase of the home approximately five to six months ago, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. In July 2020, Irving also donated $1.5 million to WNBA players who opted out of playing the remainder of the 2020 season in a bubble, whether because of coronavirus or social justice reasons.
In July, Irving also joined rapper Common among others for a TV special calling action after the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency technician who was shot to death eight times on March 13, in Louisville, Kentucky, by plainclothes officers serving a narcotics search warrant without knocking at her apartment.
Irving has not played a single game since January 5, citing personal reasons for the first seven games. He will also miss Monday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, but could possibly make his return on Wednesday or Friday when the Nets will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
