NBA Jazz Coach, Family, Lead Activation For Autism Acceptance Month
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 02:28PM By Barry Janoff
Photo: Utah JazzApril 1, 2025: Every April is World Autism Awareness Month, but the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves chose to make a statement weeks ago when, on March 18, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch gave Joe Ingles his first start since Jan. 30, 2022.
In attendance at Target Center was Ingles’ son, Jacob, 8, who has autism and has difficulty being at and then sitting through games.
"This s**t is real. It doesn't matter who you are or the lifestyle or the money," Ingles said in a post-game media interview. "We'll keep doing what we do, the awareness, and we'll keep doing whatever we can to help other families.
"But I think people just need to understand this is a real thing. It doesn't go away with money. It doesn't go away with situations we're in. All we can do is talk about it. And then obviously for us, give Jacob the best chance to fit in in this crazy world that we're in.”
To support Autism Acceptance Month, Utah Jazz assistant coach Scott Morrison and his wife Susanne for the second consecutive season have organized a league-wide effort to encourage acceptance for individuals with autism
During NBA games between April 2–9, all 30 NBA head coaches, including Jazz head coach Will Hardy, will wear custom sneakers courtside that feature their team’s colors and designs that symbolize the autism community.
The Morrsions are working with Sotheby’s to host an online auction, where each of the shoes and other items will be open to bids between May 13-20, 2025.
Funds raised will benefit the “To The Max Foundation," a nonprofit founded by the Morrisons in honor of their five-year-old son Max, who was diagnosed with autism in 2022.
According to the Morrisons, the campaign this season has expanded since 2024.
In addition, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, current and former NBA players, and several NBA broadcasters will be gifted custom sneakers that celebrate Autism Acceptance.
The Morrisons collaborated with the NBA and the NBA Coaches Assn. on the campaign.
They commissioned JSM 801 Customs, a Salt Lake City-based design studio that worked on last year’s shoe campaign, to design more than 60 unique pairs of sneakers.
Several NBA national broadcasters from ESPN and TNT Sports will also be among those participating.
Ingles, who played for the Jazz from 2014-22, and wife Renae, have used their situation to raise awareness of autism and provide support, including financial, for those dealing with it.
In addition to the uniquely designed sneakers, players across the league donated items for the Sotheby's auction, including autographed jerseys from Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Patty Mills and Max Strus.
James Harden, Luguentz Dort, Gilgeous-Alexander and Strus also each donated a pair of game-worn shoes.
“It’s moving to see this campaign continue to gain momentum,” Morrison said via the Jazz.
“The support for Max we have received from NBA colleagues leaguewide has helped motivate us to organize this effort as an impactful way to generate resources that can support other individuals with autism and their families.”
The Jazz’ Delta Center is a certified sensory inclusive venue. The Sensory Room presented by Vivint Gives Back, located on Level 5 of the arena, is a "safe haven for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing challenges, and other conditions related to neurodiversity."
“We love this community, are proud to be a part of it, and feel blessed to have this platform to shine light on how special individuals with autism are,” said Morrison.
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