NBA star Jonathan Isaac launches anti-wake clothing line in August
‘We have the freedom to create an alternative’: NBA star Jonathan Isaac who refused to take a knee during the national anthem launches pro-Christian ‘anti-woke’ clothing line
NBA player Jonathan Isaac will launch an “anti-wake” clothing line in August 2023 that supports conservative values.
Writing on Twitter the Orlando Magic star, 25, said: ‘retail brands have the freedom to wake up. We have the freedom to create an alternative.”
We can be proud of what we believe in. We don’t have to hide or be ashamed of it,” he told Amala Ekpunobi in a recent Prager U documentary about the launch.
Isaac made headlines in 2020 as the first NBA player to stand for the national anthem without wearing a Black Lives Matter warm-up jersey. He claimed to support the cause, but believed wearing the T-shirt “didn’t go hand in hand with supporting Black lives.” .
NBA player Jonathan Isaac talks about his upcoming “anti-woke” clothing line, UNITUS
He said his clothing line would launch in August 2023 in a post on Twitter on Friday
Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac (1) stands as others kneel before the start of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets NBA game on Friday, July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista
Isaac spoke to the conservative nonprofit and advocacy group Prager U in a documentary titled “Unwake Inc.‘
He explained the decision to launch the new brand: ‘UNITUS is a sports and clothing company, and the foundation of that for me is freedom.
“You have companies in that field that have made a conscious choice to attack or undermine Christian values, conservative values and things like that.
“And I think they have the free choice to do that, as much as I disagree, but I feel like we also have the freedom to create what we want to create.”
In the video, published May 31, YouTuber Amala Ekpunobi spoke about “what is wakeism and where does it come from?” as he interviewed leaders and entrepreneurs across industries about how politics was seen as “almost every aspect of our culture’.
Rather, Ekpunobi looked at the origins of “woke culture” and its perceived influence on Hollywood and the media, she said, “sports woke up.”
She shared how Orlando Magic team players decided to kneel together during the national anthem in 2020 – except for Isaac.
It came amid a series of protests against police brutality that began May 26 following the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd by Officer Derek Chauvin.
Jonathan Isaac was pictured standing for the national anthem and not wearing a pre-game shirt with the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ printed on it.
After the match, he said, “I believe that Black Lives Matter… There’s a lot involved in my decision… It’s my thinking that kneeling while wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt doesn’t go hand in hand with supporting Black Lives.’
Isaac’s first book Why I Stand was published on May 17 last year and dealt with his athletic career, politics and Christian faith.
Amala Ekpunobi (left) talks to Jonathan Isaac about UNITUS for a Prager U documentary
Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac (1) stands as others kneel before the start of an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic Friday, July 31, 2020
In March, Jonathan Isaac’s dreams of an anticipated comeback from injury were marred by a torn adductor muscle.
He played in 11 games this season, having missed two and a half years due to a serious knee injury and other setbacks.
The Magic hasn’t released a timetable for Isaac’s possible return to basketball activities, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t be ready for next fall’s training camp.