Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton has been named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for November.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton has been named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for November, the league and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced.
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Ayton is being recognized for his leadership in hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica and for creating programs that promote food access and cultural equity for underrepresented youth in Los Angeles.
The NBA and NBPA Foundation will donate $20,000 to the Ayton Family Foundation (AFF) in his honor.
In July, Ayton and AFF reopened the Cedar Spring Community Center in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica – his mother’s hometown – turning it into a hub for education, health, and recreation.
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The celebration included a community day for more than 100 children and families with free medical and dental screenings, school supplies, sneakers, and a full community meal. The center now provides a safe space for youth programming, mentorship, and family engagement.
Following Hurricane Melissa, Ayton immediately mobilized relief efforts, committing $100,000 to rebuilding and using the Cedar Spring Community Center as an emergency shelter and distribution hub.
Back in Los Angeles, Ayton launched the Ayton Alley Oop Program, donating tickets to Lakers games and other sports events for youth from underrepresented communities.
The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, an NBA executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years. Lanier dedicated his life to teaching young people the values of the game while making a positive impact globally.
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