NEW YORK — The NBA today announced Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of April. Dončić is being recognized for his efforts in providing memorable experiences for youth and uplifting communities. Dončić will receive the David Robinson trophy and the NBA will donate $10,000 to the Luka Dončić Foundation, which aims to empower local heroes who bring the magic of sports and active play to children in their communities.
Dončić has played an active role in creating unforgettable moments for youth, working through his foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, and non-profit organizations like Make-A-Wish, Dončić hosted multiple events including gift giveaways, meet-and-greets, children’s hospital visits and granting the wishes of children facing serious illnesses.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, Dončić hosted 50 students at the American Airlines Center to attend a Mavericks home game, many of whom have never previously attended an NBA game. The experience included tickets, transportation and meals provided by Dončić as well as a personal meet-and-greet. Additionally, during the holiday season, Doncic teamed up with NERF and Jordan Brand and gifted hundreds of students from local schools and the Heroes Foundation NERF basketball hoops, NERF blasters and Luka’s Jordan Brand signature t-shirts and Luka 2’s.
At Cook Children’s Medical Center, Dončić donated gifts, hand knit hats and blankets to the families of nearly 100 premature newborn children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Recognizing the heavy financial strains families suffer during a baby’s often long hospitalization, Dončić provided financial support to NICU families who are in need of assistance with paying mortgages and rent, utility bills, car payments and more. During the Mavs Ball – which is the Mavericks annual auction fundraiser, Dončić provided $43,000 to the Mavs Foundation in bids during the auction.
Dončić’s impact extends beyond the Dallas-Fort Worth community. During the Maverick’s trip to Madrid, Spain for a preseason game, Dončić visited the local children’s hospital to meet and give gifts to many of his fans across the world that otherwise would not have the opportunity to watch a Mavericks game in person or meet Dončić in Dallas. Additionally, the Luka Dončić Foundation hosted a holiday party and distributed gifts to nearly 70 youth at youth care center Malči Belič Ljubljana in Slovenia. The Luka Dončić Foundation also delivered gifts to youth at the residential and counseling institution Verzej in Slovenia.
“Basketball has given me so much and I have a big responsibility to give back by helping wherever I can,” said Dončić. “It means everything to me to keep growing my foundation’s work by supporting those leading amazing community projects, connecting with more young people and spreading more generosity and kindness. I hope we can make an even bigger impact next year.”
Dončić will be recognized in-arena as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner during halftime of Game 4 of the Clippers-Mavericks NBA Playoffs game on Apr. 28. Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont and Chief Executive Officer Cynt Marshall will present him with the award.
The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years. He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity. The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their community throughout the NBA season. Over the course of each NBA season, there is an offseason winner followed by seven monthly award winners. Each winner receives the David Robinson trophy and the NBA makes a donation to the charity or foundation of the player’s choice. To learn more, please visit https://communityassist.nba.com/
