LOS ANGELES -- The NBA, along with the NBA Players Association, announced on Tuesday that Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton has been named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for November.
For the Lakers, Ayton has been impactful for their frontcourt, averaging 15.3 points and 9.0 rebounds on 71% shooting. Off the court, he's had an even bigger impact.
What’s this award, you might ask? The NBA acknowledges one player each month during the season, awarding seven winners—and one offseason winner—who demonstrate the utmost passion for giving back to their communities.
Ayton is being recognized for his leadership in hurricane relief efforts in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica—his mother, Andrea’s, hometown—while also creating programs for the underprivileged in Los Angeles.
“My family taught me that feeding people is love, and that’s exactly what the Foundation represents,” said Ayton. “We honor our roots by giving back, creating access, and building a stronger future for the communities that made us who we are.”
In July, Ayton reopened the Cedar Spring community center in St. Elizabeth Parish, through his Ayton Family Foundation, transforming it into a center that supported the community through education, health, and recreation.
The center provided a day that helped give free medical and dental screenings, school supplies, shoes, and meals for more than 100 children and families.
Following Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm that killed more than 40 people and caused billions in damages in late October, Ayton created a relief plan that gave $100,000 to rebuilding efforts at the Cedar Spring Community Center as an emergency shelter and hub for those affected by the storm.
For his impact in L.A., Ayton has created the Alley Oop Program, a program that donates Lakers tickets and other sporting events for youth from disadvantaged communities.
He's also donated $25,000 to the SüprMarkt LA’s SNAP BACK initiative, a program that has provided more than 200 tons of organic groceries to families in South L.A.
This is the second NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner this season, as Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones was honored with the first award for October, helping raise more than $1.1 million towards cancer research and awareness.