Malcolm Brogdon, one of the starters for a Milwaukee Bucks team that has fashioned the best record in the NBA, was profiled in a lengthy piece by The Guardian that chronicled his unique upbringing and awareness of social inequity for black Americans — including in Milwaukee.

Among the third-year player's observations were statements echoing comments made by Bucks president Peter Feigin in 2017 identifying Milwaukee as "the most segregated, racist place I've experienced in my life." Brogdon said the comments didn't shock him.

"Before I came to Milwaukee I’d heard the city was the most segregated in the country," Brogdon said in the article. "I’d heard it was racist. When I got here it was extremely segregated. I’ve never lived in a city this segregated. Milwaukee’s very behind in terms of being progressive. There are things that need to change rapidly.”

Brogdon also said he felt Milwaukee could make changes for the better.

"Leadership and change starts from the top down — with our owners being progressive," he said. "They encourage players that also want to be forward thinking. For them to support Peter Feigin is a big sign and encourages us to do the same. To speak out for what is good and right.”

The Bucks have demonstrated an awareness of Milwaukee's racial inequity, including for their own players. The team issued a statement in staunch support of Sterling Brown, who filed a lawsuit against the city and its police department after he was tased and arrested by officers who approached him in a Walgreens parking lot after Brown's car was parked illegally.

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"...The NBA is the most progressive league out there," Brogdon told The Guardian. "I’ve been a bit surprised, and encouraged, by the NBA’s support for athletes that speak out. Compared to the NFL it’s night and day. Look at the NFL’s treatment of Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is a hero. When you talk about Malcolm X and Dr. King, the word that comes to mind is sacrifice. Colin Kaepernick is the epitome of that sacrifice in our generation. I love it that black athletes are now willing to speak out. It’s inspiring.”

The Guardian dives deeper into Brogdon's family life. The son of a lawyer and dean of the science and maths department at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Brogdon grew up with a keen understanding of the civil rights movement and the sentiments that created a rift between the races. His family also traveled to Africa for three weeks on a vacation, where the Brogdons worked in day care and maternity centers.

Brogdon also said he wanted to play professional soccer growing up, admiring French star Thierry Henry.

"Soccer is still my favourite sport," he told The Guardian. "I was a striker – like Henry. But things changed when I got to the ninth grade. My brother was always playing basketball and I wanted to be more like him. I wanted to be around more black people.”

JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe.