Vote for the 2020-21 NBA Cares Seasonlong Community Assist Award

The NBA is delighted to unveil the 10 candidates for the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for the 2020-21 Season, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. All these players have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their communities, making significant contributions beyond the basketball court.

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Below are the nominees.

DeAndre’ Bembry

Benefiting Charity: AP World

Since he began his NBA career, DeAndre’ Bembry has been committed to philanthropy. He established the AP World organization in memory of his brother Adrien, who tragically lost his life to gun violence just weeks before the 2016 NBA Draft. This organization is devoted to building safer communities and giving families the resources they need to cope with and overcome grief.

Throughout the year, DeAndre’ has been actively involved with AP World, participating in a variety of charitable activities. These include providing Thanksgiving meals for families, distributing brand new coats in partnership with Operation Warm for Children’s Aid in Toronto, and donating 500 pairs of brand-new shoes to the Boys & Girls Club Youth in Indianapolis in February, in collaboration with Shoes that Fit. In preparation for National Gun Violence Survivors week in the first week of February, Bembry took part in a virtual roundtable discussion with an all-athlete panel, sharing his personal story and advocating for gun safety.

In April, DeAndre’ took part in a virtual school assembly for the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program in Toronto. This program aims to combat bullying, discrimination, and racism by fostering a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and by encouraging students to take action. Bembry’s virtual talk was transmitted to thousands of young people across 100 schools in Ontario. The goal was to demonstrate to students how they can triumph over tough times and emerge stronger.

Bembry is taking part in a Wear Orange virtual panel as part of the 7th Annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 4, where he will share his family’s story. His commitment to safety amid gun violence is not only undeniable but also inspiring, given how he has transformed a tragic event into a foundation that supports other families dealing with grief.

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Devin Booker

Benefiting Charity: Phoenix Suns Charities

Devin Booker, a guard for the Phoenix Suns, was awarded the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for May, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. This accolade acknowledges his ongoing dedication to helping youth and families in the wider Phoenix region.

In May, five local nonprofit organizations were pleasantly surprised by Booker at a Suns home game. During an in-game, pre-recorded speech, he announced that these organizations were chosen for the 2020-21 Devin Booker Starting Five initiative. Each organization, which included Arizona Autism United, Central Arizona Shelter Services, YMCA of Southern Arizona, GAP Ministries, and Elevate Phoenix, received a $100,000 grant from Booker. This funding will address the financial needs that arose from the pandemic and support the organizations’ work to improve the lives of local families and youth. Furthermore, to celebrate and support the 2020-21 class, Booker and Phoenix Suns Charities produced a limited-edition Devin Booker Starting Five hoodie. The hoodies, designed by Booker, were on sale for a short period, with all profits going to Phoenix Suns Charities.

The Devin Booker Starting Five initiative, which annually donates $500,000 to five different youth-focused nonprofits in Arizona, has welcomed its second class of organizations. Over five years, this amounts to a total contribution of $2.5 million. The first class of organizations, which includes Special Olympics Arizona, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, UMOM New Day Centers and Ability 360, received their $100,000 grants at the end of 2019. Besides the Starting Five initiative, Booker has also significantly supported youth and families across the Valley through COVID-19 relief efforts and holiday shopping sprees. Additionally, he serves as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador and actively promotes inclusion through sports.

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Joel Embiid

Benefiting Charity: Covenant House Pennsylvania

In March, Joel Embiid, the center for the Philadelphia 76ers, was recognized with the Community Assist Award. Following his fourth consecutive year nomination as an NBA All-Star starter, he continued his work towards alleviating homelessness in Philadelphia. Embiid made a sizeable donation of $100,000 to three local organizations: Youth Services Inc., Project HOME, and Sunday Breakfast Mission. In addition to this, he supplied 15,000 meals, 4,000 essential clothing items, and medical aid for 1,000 individuals facing housing insecurity. He also facilitated access to a six-week summer camp for 50 young people experiencing homelessness and provided shelter for over 300 teenagers dealing with housing insecurity.

Embiid demonstrated his support for the local community by helping five families who were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He provided each family with gifts and clothing, groceries, and a year’s worth of rent relief.

Over the past year, Embiid has primarily focused his community efforts on COVID-19 relief. When the pandemic first began, he teamed up with 76ers Managing Partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer to donate $1.3 million to Penn Medicine for the development of antibody testing for frontline healthcare workers. Embiid also demonstrated his ongoing support for healthcare workers by pledging $500,000 through the #FirstRespondersFirst campaign. This initiative, launched by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global, and the CAA Foundation, aims to furnish frontline workers with PPE.

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Jrue Holiday

Benefiting Charity: The Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund

Jrue Holiday, guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Josh Richardson, guard for the Dallas Mavericks, jointly received the January NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente.

After becoming members of the Bucks team in November, Jrue and his wife Lauren collaborated with the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation. Their aim was to pinpoint small businesses owned by women and African Americans that were in dire need of help. After assessing grant applications, the Holiday family disclosed in January that they would be funding seven local businesses. These included Amri Counseling Services, Carter’s Quality Care, Hands at Home, Jamaican Season Island Restaurant, Kid’s Kingdom, Legacy Home Health Services, and The SW Retreat. These businesses offer a diverse range of services in southeastern Wisconsin, such as assisted living, home health, childcare, mental health and substance abuse services, along with hospitality and more.

Holiday has also committed to long-term support for communities that matter to him, which includes dedicating the remainder of his 2020 NBA salary to establish The Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Fund. This fund aims to fight systemic racism and increase economic equality by offering financial aid and assistance to Black-led organizations and businesses. Earlier this season, the fund revealed it would be offering support to 25 non-profits and historically Black institutions, alongside 23 Black-owned small businesses in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Indianapolis.

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Damian Lillard

Benefiting Charity: Special Olympics Oregon

In recognition of his ongoing efforts to empower Portland’s youth, Damian Lillard, guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, was honored with the April NBA Cares Community Assist Award, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

Since his arrival in Portland in 2012, Lillard has been committed to investing in and mentoring local high school students through his RESPECT program. This initiative supports, encourages, and celebrates students from three Portland-area high schools – McDaniel, Parkrose, and Roosevelt. Amid the global pandemic and the shift to virtual learning, the RESPECT program adapted to continue engaging with students. Lillard stayed connected with program participants through video visits and used his social media platforms to spotlight students and teachers who embodied the program’s principles. As schools transitioned back to in-person learning, he supplied students and staff involved in the programs with RESPECT branded face masks.

Lillard unveiled a unique RESPECT version of his signature Dame7 shoe solely for the students involved in the program. The 500 pairs made, featured the colors of McDaniel, Parkrose, and Roosevelt schools and embodied the three RESPECT principles: Show Up, Work Hard, and Be Kind. These shoes were presented as gifts to RESPECT’s partner schools, to honor students who embody these principles, and Lillard sported these sneakers on numerous occasions throughout the season. Alongside RESPECT, he persisted in his role as an ambassador for the Moda Assist Program, a partnership with Moda Health and the Trail Blazers, which pledges $20 for every assist made during the season to support the creation of inclusive playgrounds for all abilities across Oregon. This year, Astoria has been chosen as the recipient of funds to support the construction of a playground for all abilities, thereby enhancing their community.

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Patty Mills

Benefiting Charity: Urban Indigenous Health

San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills took home the February NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente in recognition of his continued efforts to create opportunities that empower Indigenous young people and advance social justice in his native Australia.

In February, Indigenous Basketball Australia, established by Mills to create opportunities for Aboriginal Australians in basketball, launched the inaugural Indigenous Community Basketball League (ICBL) in eight Australian locations for players aged 14 and under. These tournaments not only uphold and honor Indigenous cultural customs, but also concentrate on developing basketball skills and teaching life skills. This includes promoting mental and physical health, and building personal identity during a crucial age. Mills also collaborated with the NBA and Jr. NBA to unveil the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament (NIBT) in Queensland’s Gold Coast from April 11-13. It will offer further on-court and off-court development chances for 48 boys and girls.

Mills has spent a significant portion of his professional career in the US giving back to Australia, especially by supporting Indigenous youth and communities of color. In 2020, he donated the remainder of his 2019-20 season salary to organizations working for social justice and spearheaded the ‘We Got You’ initiative alongside other prominent Australian athletes. The campaign is aimed at eradicating racism, exclusion, and discrimination in sports. In the aftermath of the devastating Australian bushfires earlier that year, Mills coordinated a $750,000 donation from nine Australian NBA players.

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Donovan Mitchell

Benefiting Charity: Children’s Village

Donovan Mitchell, a guard for the Utah Jazz, was awarded the Offseason NBA Cares Community Assist Award by Kaiser Permanente. This was in recognition of his ongoing work to promote social justice and education advocacy from the 2019-20 to the 2020-21 NBA seasons.

In December, the Mitchell family made a $12 million donation to Greenwich Country Day School, the alma mater of Donovan and Jordan Mitchell and where their mother, Nicole, was a teacher for over a decade. This donation marked the largest in the school’s history and will be utilized to establish the Mitchell Family Scholarship Fund, benefiting students from pre-K-12th grade. It will also create the Nicole Mitchell Faculty Support Fund to help teachers showing the same dedication to teaching as Nicole, and construct the D.O.N.! The Determination Over Negativity Mitchell Family Athletic Center. Additionally, Mitchell donated his Adidas D.O.N. Issue #2 sneakers’ proceeds last summer to assist in the education of Jacob Blake’s children, students of color at the University of Louisville, and preschool teachers in Connecticut and the Bronx. The total scholarships and academic aid provided exceeded $300,000.

Mitchell persisted in his fight against racial injustice during the 2019-20 NBA season restart. He continued this conversation in the offseason, joining forces with then vice-presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, CJ McCollum from Portland and Tobias Harris from Philadelphia to discuss educational, economic, and social disparities. In addition, Mitchell was appointed to the inaugural board of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. This organization aims to use the impact of the game to raise awareness, educate, and push for substantial reform. Mitchell also consistently contributes to those in dire need through his SPIDACARES organization.

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Larry Nance Jr.

Benefiting Charity: Athletes vs. Chron’s

Larry Nance Jr., a beloved basketball and community figure in Northeast Ohio, has pledged to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He is doing this by auctioning off his game-worn jerseys during each regular season game, with the proceeds going to pre-selected local businesses. Additionally, both Larry and the Cavs are matching these proceeds, thereby tripling the donation each small business receives.

Larry’s social media challenge attracted hundreds of local businesses who wanted their products featured during his pregame walk-ups. Along with this, the Cavs FieldHouse Creative Team conducts interviews with these small business owners after the game. These interviews are then posted on Cavs’ digital platforms to provide fans with a detailed insight into the businesses. This also helps to further highlight their stories throughout the Northeast Ohio community.

As the season of the Cavs wound up, Larry succeeded in gathering over $222k and offered priceless publicity for 72 worthy small enterprises. Furthermore, Westfield, a corporate partner of Cavs, doubled the money collected through Larry’s jersey auction by donating an additional $100K to the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and the Akron Urban League. These organizations support minority-owned businesses. On a different note, Larry, in 2017, initiated the Athletes vs Chron’s and Colitis foundation. This foundation aims to increase awareness about both diseases among teenagers and assist them in achieving their athletic aspirations despite their diagnoses.

Throughout the pandemic, Larry utilized his platform to address the mental and physical effects of COVID-19 on individuals with pre-existing auto-immune conditions.

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Josh Richardson

Benefiting Charity: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

Shortly before the start of the 2020-21 season, Richardson joined the Mavericks and immediately aimed to impact the wider Dallas area. He surprised several frontline health care workers from UT Southwestern Medical Center with Reebok sneakers, team merchandise, and a surprise video message expressing gratitude for their continuous efforts in maintaining community safety. Additionally, Richardson visited a first grade class at the Dallas Independent School District as a guest reader, encouraging the students to value reading and education amidst the specific challenges of the school year, which was a pleasant surprise for them.

Richardson, the son of an Air Force servicewoman, has maintained his involvement with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. This program offers support and resources to those mourning the loss of a servicemember. Over the years, he has fostered a strong bond with his mentee, Elijah, through this program. During the holiday season, he also extended his support by giving presents to over 20 families who have similarly experienced the loss of a loved one in service.

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Russell Westbrook

Benefiting Charity: Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation

Russell Westbrook continues to make a positive impact in the communities where he lives and plays. As he settles into a new team market, Westbrook partnered with the LA Promise Fund to establish the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy in his home city of Los Angeles. This academy will cater to middle and high school students, improving access to educational services and outdoor activities for children and the broader community in south Los Angeles. In 2012, Westbrook established The Why Not? Foundation, aimed at providing services to vulnerable groups, including education, mental health resources, and workforce tools. The foundation also encourages youth to be creative, chase their dreams and remain resilient despite challenges. In November, Westbrook and his foundation collaborated with the L.A. Regional Food Bank for the ninth consecutive year to provide Thanksgiving meals to Los Angeles residents.

In December, Russell organized a unique Christmas sneaker giveaway for all the students at The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School. This school primarily caters to students from homeless or unstable housing situations. In February, he teamed up with Varo Bank, taking on an advisory role with the aim of addressing income disparities. His focus was on fostering financial literacy amongst minority communities. Beyond his direct community engagement, Westbrook has been proactive in enlightening communities about the numerous injustices endured by Black Americans throughout history.

In April, Russell revealed that he was working on a documentary about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, an event frequently neglected and untaught in American history. The documentary is set to premiere on May 30.

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