NBA Champion Golden State Warriors Center Festus Ezeli has been honored by the YMCA of San Francisco with the Outstanding Community Leader award to recognize his commitment to the youth and families in the Bayview Hunters Point community, the team announced today. Since being drafted by the Warriors in 2012, Ezeli has made a continued impact on the Bayview Hunters Points community, recently hosting a Warriors Youth Basketball Camp and his third-annual Thanksgiving Dinner for local families and youth at the Bayview YMCA. Ezeli was honored at YMCA San Francisco’s “Y for Youth Luncheon” fundraiser this afternoon at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
“I’m honored to receive YMCA San Francisco’s Outstanding Community Leader award, and would like to thank Bayview Hunters Point YMCA Executive Director Takija Gardner and Sports and Recreation Director Celestino Ellington for this recognition,” said Ezeli. “I have developed a strong connection with the community members in Bayview Hunters Point over the past four years, and I look forward to future involvement to make a continued impact in the lives of these families.”
Ezeli has dedicated his time and resources to support the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA including participating in his third-annual Thanksgiving dinner for over 100 local families. On November 16, 2015, Ezeli helped serve a chef-prepared meal to each member of the community, and also provided each family with a turkey and trimmings to enjoy at home with their loved ones. Ezeli also sponsors over 100 Bayview youth in the Jr. Warriors basketball league, providing high quality basketball instruction geared toward skill development and a positive team atmosphere.