Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook will be named the recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award in a presentation at the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday, sources told ESPN.com. This a a great accomplishment for a player known league-wide as being overly aggressive when on the court. However, it seems that the Russell Westbrook off of the court is an entirely different person.
Westbrook, who is representing the Thunder at the NBA draft lottery in New York, will be formally announced as the winner on Tuesday. Westbrook will be presented with the David Robinson Plaque during a presentation at the lottery. This award pays homage to an NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities. The highlight of Russell giving back of course was when he gave the car he won for being named the 2015 NBA All-Star Game MVP to a woman who was in need of transportation for her family.
Through his Why Not? Foundation, Westbrook opened “Russell’s Reading Rooms,” in three Oklahoma City public schools this season. The reading centers provided children with 1,200 books to read in safe environments and challenged students to read more. Even OKC mayor Mick Cornett was impressed.
He won! Russell Westbrook wins NBA Cares Community Assist Award. Way to go Russ! We love you for a reason.
— Mick Cornett (@MickCornett) May 19, 2015
This award was voted on by fans and an NBA panel of judges. Steph Curry, Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol are previous winners of the award. Westbrook’s other charitable endeavors this season included hosting Thanksgiving meals, holiday parties and shopping sprees for families in need, granting wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and participating in hospital visits and Thunder FIT clinics.
As part of the award, Kaiser Permanente, the presenting sponsor of award, and the NBA will donate $25,000 to the Why Not? Foundation. Congratulations Russell, this is a well deserved award.
