Bo Outlaw Receives NBA Community Assist Award for August

NEW YORK, September 12, 2006 – In recognition of Bo Outlaw’s outstanding efforts in the community, and for his ongoing philanthropic work, the NBA announced today it has honored the Orlando Magic forward with the Community Assist Award for August.

Outlaw, a 13-year NBA veteran, is active in the Orlando community throughout the season, but this summer he learned of the plight of the Orlando Downtown Boys & Girls Club and their facilities need for help. With the assistance of the $50,000 grant he received from the annual Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment award, Outlaw decided to upgrade the Club’s facility.

Along with Orlando Magic volunteers and B&GC staff, Outlaw led the three-day renovation project that included improvement to the technology center, outdoor playground and athletic facility.

“It’s really all about the kids. It’s pretty simple…..I do things for them,” said Outlaw. “I am just a small part—without all of the other volunteers, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Outlaw also spent part of his summer in Puerto Rico with teammate Carlos Arroyo as part of the NBA’s Basketball without Borders Program; the basketball instructional camp for young people designed to promote friendship, goodwill and education through sport, with a focus on HIV/AIDS awareness. Outlaw also works closely with the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation grants program.

For the 2005-06 season, Outlaw purchased more than 900 tickets to distribute to local kids through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and purchased basketball scholarships for kids to attend basketball camps during the summer.

As the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award, Outlaw will receive the David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.” In addition to the plaque, a $5,000 gift will be given to the Harbor House, a residential facility for abused women and safe housing for over 250 children each year, on behalf of Outlaw.

The league presents the NBA Community Assist Award monthly to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who reflects the passion the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.

NBA Cares is the league's global community outreach initiative that builds on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues. Over the next five years, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on service to communities around the world, and build more than 100 places where kids and families can live, learn or play. NBA Cares works with internationally-recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes including: UNICEF; Reading Is Fundamental; Habitat for Humanity; Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Charities Aid Foundation; Feed the Children, and many others.