The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given to a player, coach, or staff member who showed "outstanding service and dedication to the community."[1]
The winner was selected by the Pro Basketball Writers Association (PBWA), which represents writers for newspapers, magazines and internet services who cover the NBA on a regular basis. Members of the PBWA nominate players for the award, and then a vote was taken by approximately 150 PBWA members. The person with the highest point total wins the award.[2] The award was named in honor of James Walter Kennedy, the second commissioner (then president)[a] of the NBA.[2]
The award was usually given to a person who made a substantial charitable contribution. For example, Kevin Garnett received the award for the 2005–06 season after donating $1.2 million toward the Hurricane Katrina's relief efforts.[4]
^The official title of the position was NBA President until 1967 when it was changed to NBA Commissioner.[3]
^Denotes seasons in which joint winners were named
^Ron Artest changed his name to Metta World Peace on September 16, 2011.[8]
References
General
"Chauncey Billups Wins J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. May 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
"J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
Specific
^"Pistons G Chauncey Billups wins sportsmanship award". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
^ a b"Snow Named Winner of J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 26, 2007. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
^Mike Monroe. "The Commissioners". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
^"Garnett wins Kennedy Citizenship Award". USA Today. Associated Press. October 31, 2006. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
^"Mutombo wins J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 23, 2009. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
^"Frank Layden Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
^"Smith receives NBA's award for community service". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. April 29, 1998. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
^"Artest's Name Change to Metta World Peace Approved". The New York Times. September 16, 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2011.