While Duncan Robinson sat in his Miami condominium during the first few weeks of the NBA’s closure, he knew he wanted to help South Florida amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But how?

“I was looking at myself and thinking that I had to do something for a community that has done a lot for me to some extent and a community that has really supported me from a basketball perspective,” said the former Michigan owner during a telephone interview from the NBA Disney bubble, while the Miami Heat continued its preparations for the resumption of the season with a Sunday evening practice. “I thought there were a couple of things I could have done. Two things that I could really dedicate and donate, and this is my time and my money. “

The heat advance began by teaming up with Dunkin ‘to donate to three local organizations in April. One such organization was Feeding South Florida, the local member of the Feeding America network serving the Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.

Additionally, Robinson recently teamed up with United Way on “Duncan Robinson’s United Way Sweepstakes,” which raises funds to help those in Miami affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prizes include autographed, game-worn memorabilia, the chance to join him on Instagram Live, an opportunity to volunteer with Robinson at a local food bank, a three-hour one-point shooting lesson from Robinson and a VIP experience of heat, with everyone coming from the lottery going to the United Way.

“The thing that caught my attention the most was how it really shone a light and exacerbated the inequalities that already existed within communities,” said Robinson of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is very clear who really affected this pandemic.

“Obviously, the economy has had a hit. But we’ve learned how much we count on these essential workers. These are the people they can’t afford to go home and take shelter on the spot because they have to be out there working. It is not fair, in my opinion, that they are making a minimum wage because we obviously rely on them so strongly as a community, as a country. So any opportunity to return to those people, I felt like I had to take advantage of it. “

Robinson, who chose the “Say their names” message to wear on the back of his shirt when the season resumes, is also an active participant in the ongoing conversation about social justice.

“In the end I chose it only because I feel it requires a conversation and pushes it to the front line,” said Robinson about choosing his shirt, “which obviously did a lot of this movement and forced uncomfortable conversations. I just wanted to continue this trend and continue to make it a priority of something that has been addressed. “

Here’s what else said Robinson, who played in Michigan from 2015 to 18-18, during a conversation on these topics:

► Question: You talked about how the Udonis Haslem piece for The Players’ Tribune inspired you to act in the community. What does Haslem’s voice mean for this list of Heat?

► Reply: “It is no secret that he is certainly our leader. But I think one thing that people might overlook is that it’s not just on the field. Obviously, his experience in basketball is renowned and appreciated. But he has so much experience in terms of what it means to be a leader in a community. Obviously, being in Miami throughout his career and growing up in Miami, he is proud to return to his community. All of us younger guys and the whole team also turn to him in terms of things off the pitch. When he spoke and when he shared it on The Players’ Tribune, I certainly think it awakened something in all of us. I only remember the chat of our group in those following days, that article that was published and everyone was just inspired ”.

► D: What was the journey like finding the voice of a young NBA player in this period?

► A: “It is definitely an unusual process. I seem to have grown a lot this year in that area. I still want to have a reputation for being a quiet, hardworking guy. But at the same time, I have this platform. For me, a large part of my growth this year has achieved it and has tried to choose my points to take advantage of it.

“To be honest with you, it was somehow a struggle in some respects just because I didn’t always feel comfortable hearing my voice and being there in public that way. I am a very opinionated person and I have things I believe in. But I’ve always had a hard time finding my niche in the middle of everything. I think the biggest influence for me has been watching the guys who do it gracefully and empathy, but they are also full of respect and attach themselves to people and causes that are authentic. I think Udonis is an excellent example. I think of Andre (Iguodala), some of the things he does. He and I definitely got close and I enjoy choosing his brain. “

► D: How important is it for white players to make their voices heard about racial injustice?

► A: “I think it is absolutely fundamental. The NBA is a predominantly black league. And I am somehow the anomaly in that sense, I have always tried to commit myself to be an ally and to take the necessary measures. But above all in a moment like this, if you do it in silence, nobody really needs it. So it was a challenge for me. I know what’s right and I know that now I have a responsibility to speak and speak against what’s going on. Something that I really understood in all of this is that there is a lot of power in a beneficiary of a broken system that condemns him for what he is. It was something I was more willing and open to deal with. It certainly comes up with its challenges, just because for some reason these tend to be controversial issues. I really don’t understand why. But this is only reality.

“For me, this has been a big part of finding my voice and speaking out against these injustices and showing my teammates and players across the league that I am not alone with them in silence, but also with them publicly. I also have a responsibility outside of this. Much of this is educating myself, doing my due diligence in terms of understanding the history of this country and the history of racial injustices in this country. And then also to concretize my rights, whether it is voting, whether it is creating awareness, whether it is amplifying the voices of those who are leaders with whom I align. All those fall into the same category. So it was something that I really tried to prioritize and take very seriously because we are at a very critical point in our country, I think. Between years and generations, there will be a right and wrong side of the story, and I certainly want to be on the right side. This is for sure (cursed). “