Patty Mills says he'll donate every last cent of his $1million (A$1.45m) NBA restart salary to Black Lives Matter groups in Australia.
After initially stalling on his decision to rejoin the league, the San Antonio guard announced on Wednesday that he will be travelling to Orlando for the NBA restart - but only so he can give back to rights organisations in his homeland.
"I've made the decision to go to Orlando," Mills announced via social media.
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"And I'm proud to say that I'm taking every cent earned from these eight games that we're playing, which for me will turn out to be $1,017,818.54, and donating that directly back to the Black Lives Matter Australia, Black Deaths in Custody and to a recent campaign that's called 'We Got You' dedicated to ending racism in sport in Australia."
Having been a strong social justice advocate over the course of his 11-year NBA career, Mills sees the reignited competition as a chance to give back to his native community in a time of need.
"I'm looking forward to Orlando as an opportunity to be able to launch my mission of race and social justice," Mills told the San Antonio Express News.
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"I'm very eager, just like I am on the court, to be able to rise to the occasion and make a direct impact.
"So, I'm playing in Orlando because I don't want to leave any money on the table that could be going directly to Black communities.
"Australia is a great country. America is a great country. We all have issues and different aspects. But the point of it is, is being able to come together to be able to work together."
The 2014 NBA champion is poised to join his teammates and the 22 other teams in Florida, but Mills' push for change doesn't stop with a generous salary donation.
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While he's preparing for life in the safeguarded bubble of Walt Disney World, the Aussie star has thrown his support behind the 'We Got You' initiative.
Lead by some of Australia's biggest athletes - including Daly Cherry-Evans, Lydia Williams, Joe Ingles, Peter Siddle and Patrick Dangerfield - the campaign is dedicated to removing racism and all forms of discrimination from sport.
Speaking in a thread on Twitter, Mills said: "When allies who stand up and speak out against racism, although a small gesture, this is one of many actions that have a tremendous impact on the person being targeted because they feel the support. It can also make whoever racially vilifies that person reconsider own behaviour."
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"I believe if everyone can make small changes in this space, that could have a massive impact.
"So, I would like to say thank you - to all athletes of the majority who are paving the way with your leadership and standing in the frontlines to put an end to racism within sport.
This commitment of your support is very much appreciated."
Topics: Basketball, NBA, Australia
