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. These players have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to their communities and have made a significant positive difference outside of the basketball court.

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Below are the nominees.

DeAndre’ Bembry

Benefiting Charity: AP World

Since his NBA career began, DeAndre’ Bembry has been committed to philanthropic work. In honor of his brother Adrien, who tragically lost his life to gun violence just weeks before the 2016 NBA Draft, DeAndre’ established the AP World organization. This organization is committed to building safer communities and offering families the necessary resources to cope with and overcome grief.

Throughout the year, DeAndre’ has been actively involved with AP World, offering support in various forms such as providing Thanksgiving meals for families, distributing brand new coats to children in need in collaboration 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 cooperation with Shoes that Fit. Before the commencement of National Gun Violence Survivors week in the first week of February, Bembry took part in a virtual roundtable discussion with an all-athlete panel, where he shared his personal story and advocated for gun safety.

In April, DeAndre’ Bembry played a significant role in a virtual school assembly for Toronto’s Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program. The program aims to curb bullying, discrimination, and racism by fostering an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, it empowers students to take action. Bembry’s virtual discourse was televised to thousands of young people across 100 schools in Ontario. The objective was to teach students how to triumph over challenges and emerge stronger.

Bembry is taking part in a Wear Orange virtual panel for the 7th Annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 4, where he will recount his family’s experience. His unwavering dedication to safety in the face of gun violence is both undeniable and inspiring, particularly given how he has transformed a devastating incident into a foundation that provides support to 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 honored with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for May, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. This award acknowledges his ongoing dedication to supporting young people and families in the larger Phoenix region.

In May, five local nonprofit organizations were pleasantly surprised by Devin Booker at a Suns home game. He announced, through a pre-recorded in-game address, that they were selected as the 2020-21 class of the Devin Booker Starting Five initiative. Booker awarded each of the organizations, including Arizona Autism United, Central Arizona Shelter Services, YMCA of Southern Arizona, GAP Ministries, and Elevate Phoenix, a $100,000 grant. The grants are meant to assist with crucial funding needs in the aftermath of the pandemic and to support their efforts in enhancing the lives of local youth and families. Booker and Phoenix Suns Charities further celebrated and supported the 2020-21 class by creating a limited-edition Devin Booker Starting Five hoodie, featuring the chosen nonprofits. The hoodies, designed by Booker, were available for a limited period and all the proceeds from their sale went to Phoenix Suns Charities.

The Devin Booker Starting Five initiative, which donates $500,000 annually to five different youth-focused nonprofits in Arizona, has recognized its second class of five organizations. Over five years, this initiative will donate a total of $2.5 million. The first class, which included 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. Apart from this initiative, Booker has extensively supported the youth and families in the Valley through COVID-19 aid and holiday shopping sprees. In addition, as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador, he actively propagates inclusion through sports.

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Joel Embiid

Benefiting Charity: Covenant House Pennsylvania

In March, Joel Embiid, the center for the Philadelphia 76ers, earned the Community Assist Award. This recognition came after being named an NBA All-Star starter for the fourth year in a row. Embiid’s commitment to addressing homelessness in Philadelphia continued with a generous donation of $100,000 split among three local organizations: Youth Services Inc., Project HOME, and Sunday Breakfast Mission. His contributions also included providing 15,000 meals, 4,000 essential clothing pieces, medical assistance for 1,000 individuals with unstable housing, a six-week summer camp for 50 homeless youths, and shelter for over 300 teenagers dealing with housing insecurity.

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

Embiid has concentrated his community work over the past year mainly on COVID-19 relief. When the pandemic started, he collaborated with 76ers Managing Partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer to contribute $1.3 million to Penn Medicine for the development of antibody testing for frontline healthcare staff. He also committed $500,000 via the #FirstRespondersFirst campaign, an initiative from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global, and the CAA Foundation, to supply PPE to frontline workers in a continued display of his support for healthcare workers.

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Jrue Holiday

Benefiting Charity: The Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund

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

After signing with the Bucks in November, Jrue and his wife Lauren teamed up with the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation. Their aim was to locate small, female and Black-owned businesses that required the most help. Having assessed grant applications, in January, the Holiday family revealed they were funding seven local businesses. These are 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 various services in southeastern Wisconsin, such as assisted living, home health, childcare, mental health and substance abuse services, hospitality, and more.

Holiday has demonstrated his commitment to aid communities significant to him by undertaking long-term pledges. Among these is his decision to dedicate the rest of his 2020 NBA salary to establish The Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Fund. This fund aims to confront systemic racism and boost economic equality by offering financial assistance and support to Black-led businesses and organizations. Earlier in the season, the fund declared its backing for 25 non-profits and historically Black institutions. It also supported 23 Black-owned small businesses in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Indianapolis.

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Damian Lillard

Benefiting Charity: Special Olympics Oregon

Damian Lillard, the guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, was handed the April NBA Cares Community Assist Award by Kaiser Permanente. This was in recognition of his ongoing work to empower the youth of Portland.

Since moving to Portland in 2012, Lillard has dedicated himself to investing in and mentoring high school-aged youth through his RESPECT program. This initiative supports and celebrates McDaniel, Parkrose, and Roosevelt high schools. Amidst the pandemic and the shift to virtual learning environments this year, the RESPECT program adapted to continue engaging with students. Lillard used video calls to stay connected with the participants and showcased students and teachers who embodied the program’s principles on his social media. As schools transitioned back to physical classrooms, he supplied RESPECT-branded face masks for all participating students and staff.

Lillard released a unique RESPECT edition of his signature Dame7 shoe, exclusively for the students participating in the program. A total of 500 pairs were made, reflecting the school colors of McDaniel, Parkrose, and Roosevelt. The shoes also exemplified the three RESPECT principles: Show Up, Work Hard, and Be Kind. Lillard presented the shoes to RESPECT’s partner schools as rewards for students who embody these principles and sported the sneakers on several occasions during the season. Alongside RESPECT, Lillard maintained his ambassadorship role for the Moda Assist Program, in collaboration with Moda Health and the Trail Blazers. This program donates $20 for each assist made in the season towards creating all-inclusive playgrounds across Oregon. This year, funds have been allocated for Astoria to construct a playground accessible to all abilities and improve 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.

Indigenous Basketball Australia, founded by Mills to advance opportunities for Aboriginal Australians in basketball, launched the inaugural Indigenous Community Basketball League (ICBL) in February. The league, aimed at players aged 14 and under, spans eight locations throughout Australia. Emphasizing basketball development and life skills education, the tournaments also honor and uphold Indigenous cultural traditions. They focus on mental and physical well-being while reinforcing personal identity at a crucial age. Furthermore, Mills collaborated with the NBA and Jr. NBA to unveil the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament (NIBT). Taking place at Queensland’s Gold Coast from April 11-13, the NIBT will offer 48 boys and girls additional developmental opportunities both on and off the court.

Much of Mills’ professional career in the United States has been devoted to contributing to Australia, particularly in the empowerment of Indigenous youths and communities of color. In 2020, he donated his remaining 2019-20 season salary to organizations promoting social justice and collaborated with other prominent Australian athletes to launch the ‘We Got You’ campaign aimed at eradicating racism, exclusion, and discrimination in sports. In response to the severe Australian bushfires earlier that year, Mills coordinated a donation of $750,000 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 recognized with the Offseason NBA Cares Community Assist Award, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. This accolade acknowledges his ongoing dedication to promoting social justice and advocating for education between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 NBA seasons.

In December, Greenwich Country Day School received a $12 million donation from the Mitchell family. This is the largest single contribution in the school’s history. Donovan Mitchell and his sister Jordan both attended this school, where their mother Nicole worked as a teacher for over a decade. The donation will establish the Mitchell Family Scholarship Fund for students from pre-K to 12th grade, the Nicole Mitchell Faculty Support Fund for passionate teachers, and the D.O.N.! The Determination Over Negativity Mitchell Family Athletic Center. Additionally, Mitchell donated the earnings from his Adidas D.O.N. Issue #2 sneakers this past summer. The proceeds, totaling over $300,000, funded scholarships and academic aid for Jacob Blake’s children, students of color at the University of Louisville, and teachers at preschools in Connecticut and the Bronx.

After his steadfast dedication to addressing racial injustice during the 2019-20 NBA season restart, Mitchell carried on these discussions during the offseason. He took part in a conversation alongside then vice-presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, Portland’s CJ McCollum, and Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris, focusing on educational, economic, and social disparities. Furthermore, Mitchell was appointed to the first board of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. This group aims to use the basketball platform to promote awareness, provide education, and push for substantial reform. Mitchell also consistently supports those in need through his SPIDACARES organization.

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Larry Nance Jr.

Benefiting Charity: Athletes vs. Chron’s

Larry Nance Jr., a native of Northeast Ohio and a local basketball and community champion, responded to the severe impact of COVID-19 on small businesses. He pledged to use each regular season game to boost pre-selected local businesses by donating all the proceeds from his game-worn jersey auctions. Both Larry and the Cavs match these proceeds, thus tripling the donations received by each small business.

Larry’s social media challenge garnered hundreds of packages from local businesses eager to be highlighted during his pregame walk-up. Furthermore, the Cavs FieldHouse Creative Team conducts post-game interviews with these small business owners, which are then showcased on Cavs digital platforms. This not only provides fans with a deeper understanding of the businesses but also further promotes their stories throughout the Northeast Ohio community.

Larry managed to amass over $222k as the Cavaliers’ season ended, and gave 72 deserving small businesses priceless exposure. The amount Larry raised through a jersey auction was also matched by the Cavs’ corporate partner, Westfield, who made an additional donation of $100K to the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and the Akron Urban League, both of which support minority-owned businesses. In a separate initiative, Larry started the Athletes vs Chron’s and Colitis foundation in 2017. The foundation aims to raise awareness about the two diseases among teenagers and helps children with these conditions realize their athletic potential.

Larry utilized his platform during the pandemic to talk about 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 beginning of the 2020-21 season, Richardson joined the Mavericks and immediately aimed to contribute positively to the wider Dallas area. He surprised numerous frontline healthcare workers from the UT Southwestern Medical Center with Reebok sneakers, team merchandise, and a surprise video message expressing gratitude for their continuous efforts to secure the community’s safety. Additionally, he became a guest reader for a first-grade class in the Dallas Independent School District, where he surprised the students and encouraged them to value reading and education amidst the unique challenges of this academic year.

Richardson, the son of an Air Force servicewoman, has continued his involvement with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a program dedicated to providing comfort, care, and resources to those mourning the loss of a servicemember. Over the years, he has fostered a strong bond with his mentee, Elijah, through the program. During the festive season, he generously provided gifts for over 20 families who also experienced the loss of a service member.

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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 resides and plays. He partnered with the LA Promise Fund to establish the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy in his native Los Angeles as he settled into a new team market. The academy caters to middle and high school students, improving access to education and outdoor activities for children and the broader community in south Los Angeles.

In 2012, Westbrook established The Why Not? Foundation, aimed at offering services to vulnerable groups, including education, mental health resources, and employment tools. The foundation encourages youth to think creatively, pursue their dreams, and not give up regardless of their circumstances. In November, Westbrook and his foundation joined forces with the L.A. Regional Food Bank for the ninth consecutive year to distribute Thanksgiving meals to Los Angeles residents.

In December, Russell conducted a Christmas sneaker giveaway for all students at The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School. This school caters to students who mostly come from homeless or unstable housing situations. Then in February, he took on an advisory role with Varo Bank with the goal of addressing income inequalities. He aims to achieve this through programs designed to enhance financial literacy within the minority community. Besides his hands-on community involvement, Westbrook has also spearheaded educational initiatives about the numerous injustices Black people in America have endured throughout history.

In April, Russell announced that he was producing a documentary on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, an event often neglected and not taught in American history. The documentary is set to premiere on May 30.

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