Carmelo Anthony: 'About time' Michael Jordan stepped up for social change

LOS ANGELES — Carmelo Anthony, who has used his platform as an NBA All-Star to call attention to police-related shootings, lauded Michael Jordan's decision to speak out on the issue.

"About time that he stepped up," Anthony said Monday of Jordan, who has shied away from discussing political issues throughout his career. "At the end of the day, amongst us, he is our face. He's a very powerful African-American. So for him to step up in the midst of these times now, it was very big."

Jordan issued a statement on Monday that in part read, "I can no longer stay silent."

He said he was donating $1 million to the international association of chiefs of police's newly established institute of community-police relations and $1 million to NAACP Legal Defense fund. Anthony called what Jordan did "brilliant".

"It's not all about money and giving back," Anthony said. "But for him to step up and put his money where his mouth is ..."

Anthony spoke at the Challenger's Boys and Girls Club, where he spear-headed an event that brought together police officers, community leaders, youth and other athletes, including WNBA star Tamika Catchings to address the recent shootings that has divided the African-American community and police officers.