Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell was named the recipient of the the Offseason NBA Cares Community Assist Award in recognition for his efforts to bring out social and racial justice, as well as his ongoing support of education, it was announced Friday.
Mitchell was one of the league’s most vocal advocates of social and racial justice this past summer. He subsequently joined then vice-presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, Blazers guard CJ McCollum, and Sixers forward Tobias Harris for a discussion on social inequity.
He has since been named to the board of the inaugural National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, which will attempt to bring about meaningful reform.
In December, Mitchell and his family made a $12 million commitment to Greenwich Country Day School, where he and his sister attended and where his mother was a teacher, in order to provide educational opportunities for low-income students.
“I’m honored to receive the NBA Community Assist Award. We, as athletes, have a responsibility to do our part to give back to our communities and raise the bar for the next generation,” Mitchell said in a statement. “Not too long ago, I was one of those kids that looked up to professional athletes, and I recognize how blessed I am to be in this position to give back to the multiple communities that have contributed to my growth not only as an athlete but as a person. My goal is to continue to inspire and encourage youth, from coast to coast with an emphasis on the importance of education.”
The NBA Cares Community Assist Award “recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities.” Mitchell was presented with the award during a special virtual ceremony, and will be recognized during Friday’s game at Vivint Arena against the Mavericks.
A $10,000 donation will be made in Mitchell’s name to The Children’s Village, a non-profit residential treatment facility and school for troubled children in New York.
