NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2006 - NBA players and teams are paying tribute to the impact, inspiration and influence that the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had on young people and the world of professional sports.

On Jan. 16, the Memphis Grizzlies will host a full day of events including a pregame Symposium at the team’s practice facility. The Grammy Award winning ‘Blind Boys of Alabama’ will sing the national anthem, prior to the Grizzlies hosting the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs in a nationally televised game at 8 p.m. ET on TNT. A special halftime ceremony will honor NBA Legend Bill Russell and Mannie Jackson and the Harlem Globetrotters for their significant contributions to civil and human rights. The National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Awards will be presented live during the TNT broadcast to both Russell and the Globetrotters.

The NBA has produced two MLK-themed public service announcements featuring the Clippers’ Elton Brand, the Nuggets’ Marcus Camby, the Warriors’ Baron Davis, and the Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas that will air on ESPN, ESPN2, NBA TV and TNT throughout the weekend.

Other highlights of the league’s celebration include the New York Knicks’ annual “Promote the Quote” event, the Atlanta Hawks’ tour of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, and the Dallas Mavericks’ Tribute and Celebration.

Atlanta Hawks: The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Visitors Center will host youth from New Horizons for a day of service designed to teach kids more about Dr. King's life and legacy. The morning will begin with a tour of King’s Birth Home Museum and a special reading timeout with WSB TV anchor Jovita Moore.

Charlotte Bobcats: Prior to their Jan. 16 game, the team will honor 40 student winners who participated in a Martin Luther King, Jr. art and essay contest. Team owner Robert L. Johnson and the Bobcats organization will also be honored with the first-ever Corporate Legacy Award. During halftime, three local community leaders will be recognized as Medallion Award Honoree, followed by a very special reenactment of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Chicago Bulls: Eddie Basden, Andres Nocioni, Jannero Pargo and Michael Sweetney will team up with Windy City Habitat for Humanity by painting a newly-constructed home. In recognition of the MLK holiday, Windy City Habitat for Humanity has organized MLK Service Day. The organization has invited local high school students to live out the ideals Dr. King set forth and assist in completing its newest housing project. The Bulls players will be on hand to help the students paint the new home.

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers’ MLK Tribute Night will pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. King with a special halftime ceremony planned to honor a contingent of black sports legends of Ohio.

Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs will host a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute and Black History Month Celebration that will include the Elite News Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. Also, 10,000 “I Have A Dream” posters will be given to fans as they enter the building for their game against the Bucks, a traveling exhibit of the Tuskegee Airmen will be displayed on the concourse during the game, and the Airmen will sign autographs prior to the game. In celebration of African-American culture, the Mavs will wear their alternate road uniform designed by Sean “Diddy” Combs for the game.

Detroit Pistons: The Detroit Pistons will honor Michigan First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern of Mentor Michigan and Jimmie Comer of VIP Mentoring at halftime against the Boston Celtics on Monday, January 16. The matinee takes place on the national holiday celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Golden State Warriors: Players and representatives will reward students from a local school with the opportunity to be “Jr. Staff” members with various jobs around the arena. The students were chosen for winning an MLK-themed contest at their school.

Memphis Grizzlies: The team will a host the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day High School Classic featuring Hamilton High School vs. Bolivar Central High School at the Fed Ex Forum. There will also be a free pregame symposium in the Methodist Healthcare Practice Facility and prior to the Grizzlies-Spurs game; the Grammy award winning ‘Blind Boys of Alabama’ will sing the national anthem. At halftime of that evening’s game, a ceremony honoring Dr. King and the National Civil Rights Museum’s Freedom Awards will take place.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett, Rashad McCants and Richie Frahm will host a MLK-themed reading timeout and host a dinner for children and their families from the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities.

New Jersey Nets: Hezekiah Walker, the two-time Grammy Award-winning gospel artist, will perform a free concert immediately following the Nets-Indiana Pacers game on Monday at Continental Airlines Arena. All fans at the game are invited to remain for the performance, which is presented by the Apollo Theater Foundation.

New York Knicks: Maurice Taylor, Antonio Davis and Jerome James and the cast of the movie “Glory Road” will host the team’s annual “Promote the Quote” event in honor of Dr. King. “Promote the Quote” engages Knicks’ players with young people in meaningful dialogue about the values and ideals promoted by Dr. King.

Orlando Magic: Grant Hill will participate in a staff volunteer project with Habitat for Humanity and during their game against the Washington Wizards, a tape of local students talking about what Dr. King means to them will air along with MLK facts throughout the game, and the team will honor the Mayor’s MLK Humanitarian Award Winners during halftime.

Philadelphia 76ers: The team, the NBA and Southwest Airlines will host the “The Quest for Equality: African Americans as Pioneers in the Sport of Basketball” exhibit at the National Liberty Museum through February 6, 2006. The exhibit provides a historic timetable of the pursuit of justice and equality that paved the way for today’s players, coaches and owners. It includes a fascinating collection of period documents, photos, uniform items and more.

Portland Trail Blazers: The team will host an MLK Observance/Prayer Breakfast and a MLK service project.