One of the game’s most community-minded players, expanding youth-oriented efforts both in New York and in his native Texas...Winner of the NBA Community Assist Award for June 2004...Quote: “It’s very important to give back to the community. Because without the kids and without the fans our league wouldn’t exist.”...Received the 2001 “Beyond The Game” Award from the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame on Dec. 11, 2001. Located in Boise, ID, the organization annually selects a player from pro sports who goes beyond the boundary of the court and into the community to lead by example and serve others...Launched fourth annual Kurt Thomas Investment Challenge by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Mar. 10, 2004...Presented by Merrill Lynch, the Challenge supports New York City high school students as they participate in the Stock Market Game program, the largest stock market simulation program in the nation. In June 2004, High School for Telecommunications student Sarah Butler won a Merrill Lynch Internship and a Kurt Thomas Scholarship. In addition, scholarships were awarded to Rebeca Felip, Christopher Anthony Forbes, Mabel Santos and Deokaran Ramratan...Quote: “It continues to be a pleasure for me to work with young people to help them understand the value of their investments by using The Stock Market Game. The experience they gain will open up opportunities they never knew existed, and gives them a chance to gain valuable business skills that will enrich their professional lives forever."...Serves as spokesperson for the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation, which seeks a cure for the genetic children’s disease that causes tumors to grow on the nerves. Donated $15 for every rebound during the 2003-04 season to the Foundation. Total of 662 rebounds resulted in a $9,930 donation...Hosted 80 third-graders from PS 123, PS 280, Brooklyn’s Beginning with Children School and Ossining’s Claremont School at star-studded Knicks Halloween Read to Achieve event at the Garden in October 2003...Released his second “Kurt Thomas: Playing With Heart” children’s coloring book on Jan. 29, 2001, visiting students at PS 8 in The Bronx. Over 5,000 copies of the book were donated to schools throughout the city as part of the Knicks/TASC Schools community effort of the Garden’s “Cheering for Children” program. Proceeds go to Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT), which Kurt has been involved in since his days at TCU.
Kurt Vincent Thomas...Three daughters: Gabriella (10), Abigayl (9) and Isabella (4)...Graduated from TCU with a psychology degree and a minor in criminal justice...Father John is a computer programmer for Texas Instruments and mother Angela works for the U.S. Postal Service in Dallas...All-City and All-State selection as a junior at Hillcrest High School in Dallas...Broke his ankle in his senior year and missed half the season...Enjoys reading black and female authors (favorite book is Waiting To Exhale by Terry McMillan).
