Orlando Magic ahead Jonathan Isaac, who famously stood for the nationwide anthem whereas his different colleagues knelt earlier than a recreation within the bubble in 2020, reportedly agreed to a contract extension on Tuesday.
Isaac and the Magic agreed to a five-year, $84 million contract extension, ESPN reported. It would maintain the ahead in Orlando by the 2028-29 season.
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Jonathan Isaac reportedly signed a five-year extension with the Orlando Magic. (David Sherman/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures)
The 26-year-old New York native performed in 58 video games in the course of the 2023-24 season – probably the most he has performed in for the reason that 2018-19 season. He averaged 6.8 factors and 4.5 rebounds per recreation. He earned votes for the NBA sixth Man of the Yr Award.
Nevertheless, Isaac caught the eye of the sports activities world when the NBA returned from the coronavirus pandemic and performed video games in a bubble environment. Amid a summer time of racial unrest, many gamers determined to take a knee in the course of the nationwide anthem to lift consciousness about social injustice within the U.S. within the wake of the homicide of George Floyd.
Isaac determined to face for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
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Jonathan Isaac, #1 of the Orlando Magic, stands in the course of the nationwide anthem previous to the sport in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets on July 31, 2020 at The HP Discipline Home at ESPN Vast World Of Sports activities Complicated in Orlando, Florida. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures)
“For me, that was type of the spotlight of my early profession of being within the NBA, was 2020. It was after the tragic loss of life of George Floyd, and we have been ushered into the NBA ‘bubble,’ the place there was simply a lot stress,” Isaac informed OutKick contributor Riley Gaines on her “Gaines for Women” podcast in October. Not even simply within the bubble, however simply around the globe with the rise of the Black Lives Matter group and motion.”
“For me, it was merely about providing one other resolution. I noticed the problem. I noticed the issue. I noticed what occurred to George Floyd. And as I listened to the tone and the rhetoric of the Black Lives Matter group and motion, I by no means actually felt snug,” he added.
Isaac later tore his ACL within the bubble and missed the remainder of the video games. He spent the following two seasons on the bench recovering from the harm.
From left to proper, Joe Ingles, Jonathan Isaac and Goga Bitadze hearken to the nationwide anthem previous to the beginning of recreation two of the Japanese Convention First Spherical Playoffs in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 22, 2024 in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Pictures)
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He performed in solely 11 video games within the 2022-23 season earlier than lastly turning into wholesome final 12 months.
Fox Information’ Joe Morgan contributed to this report.
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