Trae Young Receives NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have announced that Trae Young, a guard for the Washington Wizards, is the recipient of the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for the offseason. This award honors Young's significant contributions to educational opportunities, food security, and youth sports programming, particularly in Washington, D.C. and Oklahoma. This marks the third time Young has received this accolade.

In support of his charitable efforts, the NBA and the NBPA Foundation will donate $20,000 to the DC Central Kitchen and the DC College Access Program (DC CAP). Upon joining the Wizards, Young, through his foundation, pledged $100,000 to these organizations, providing $50,000 each. DC CAP aids students from D.C. public and charter high schools in their college pursuits, while DC Central Kitchen focuses on culinary job training and hunger relief.

Expressing his gratitude, Young stated, "Being recognized for this award means so much to me, because the work I do off the court matters just as much as the work I do on the court. I am so thankful to feel the love and support from my two homes: Washington, D.C. and Oklahoma. My goal is to keep showing up for both communities, to create opportunities for them, and to remind them that somebody is in their corner."

In addition to his efforts in D.C., Young has continued to invest in youth recreation in Oklahoma. Following the opening of the Young Family Athletic Center in Norman two years ago, plans are underway for a second facility in Yukon. This new center will mirror the existing 122,000-square-foot complex, complete with versatile basketball and volleyball courts and competition pools, further expanding recreational opportunities. Young's foundation has contributed over $4 million towards developing such facilities in Oklahoma.

Young recently engaged with families in D.C. during a three-day community event around his birthday. He visited local schools, emphasizing mental health and resilience, and surprised pediatric patients at MedStar Georgetown Hospital with signed jerseys. The celebrations included a free Pro-Am Day at Oxon Hill High School and a youth skills clinic at Prince George’s County Community College, where over 175 children participated, with Young actively leading drills alongside Jr. Wizards coaches.

The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, named after NBA legend Bob Lanier, recognizes current players for their commitment to community service. Each offseason winner receives a trophy, along with monthly winners throughout the season. The NBA and the NBPA Foundation make a donation to a charity chosen by the award recipient. For more information, visit communityassist.nba.com.