MEMPHIS, April 29, 2013– Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has been nominated for the 2013 Season-Long Kia Community Assist Award for his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work, the NBA announced today. The award recognizes the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.
During the 2013 Season, Randolph provided over 1200 boxes of food to families in both Memphis and his hometown of Marion, Indiana during the holiday season. He distributed more than 100 coats to kids for the winter season at Cummings Elementary School, in partnership with the Memphis Police Department and Grizzlies sponsor City Gear. In late December, he also teamed up with teammate Tony Allen to sponsor a holiday shopping spree for 200 kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. He also sponsored 100 kids from the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program back in Marion, Indiana, providing each child with a $100 gift card. His generosity didn’t stop there. For the fourth consecutive year, Randolph donated $20,000 to Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association to be allocated to 100 residents in need of utility assistance in the Memphis area. He also met with two single mothers who had recently lost their homes because they could not afford to pay their utility bills. Randolph paid off their bills so that they could afford housing for their families.
The 2013 Season-Long Kia Community Assist Award winner will be determined by fans and a distinguished panel of NBA judges, including past J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winners and NBA Legends Bob Lanier and Dikembe Mutombo. Fan voting will take place on a dedicated tab on the NBA Facebook page beginning today and continues through May 17. This marks the first time that fans will help to select the winner. Kia and the NBA will donate $25,000 to the winner’s charity of choice. Other nominees include, Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets), Tyler Hansbrough (Indiana Pacers), David Lee (Golden State Warriors), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets).
Kia Motors has been an NBA Cares partner since 2010. In addition to the Season-Long Kia Community Assist Award, the league presents the Kia Community Assist Award monthly throughout the season to recognize players for their charitable efforts.
To learn more, please jump to nba.com/kiacommunityassist.