The Portland Trail Blazers and the NBA announced last month that Damian Lillard had won the NBA Community Assist Award for the month of April. Now, they have announced that the six-time all-star has been nominated for the 2020-2021 season-long Community Assist Award, and the fans are being encouraged to vote for him.
How did Lillard get the award in April? The NBA awards the Community Assist Award for Community engagement, philanthropic activity, and charity work. Lillard debuted a special RESPECT edition of his signature Dame 7 shoe exclusively for the students in the RESPECT program.
The Blazers also reported in the release that he continued his role as ambassador for the Moda Assist program in partnership with Moda Health and the Trail Blazers, which will donate $20 per assist made during the season to fund the development of all-ability inclusive playgrounds throughout the state. This year, a park in Astoria was selected.
“It’s an honor to receive the NBA Cares Community Assist Award,” said Lillard in a statement via the Blazers. “From a young age, my mom and dad taught me about the value of giving back and lifting up others. I’ve been involved with Special Olympics since high school, and I’m proud to serve in my role as Global Ambassador for the organization. Special Olympics is a deserving recipient of this donation as they continue to create a better world of acceptance and inclusion for all people.”
With that, the NBA is asking fans to choose by voting for the 2020-2021 NBA Cares Season-long Community Assist Award. In addition to Lillard, the Toronto Raptors Deandre Bembry, Phoenix Suns Devin Booker, Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embid, Milwaukee Buck Jrue Holiday, San Antonio Spurs (and former Trail Blazer)Patty Mills, Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavalier Larry Nance JR., Dallas Mavericks Josh Richardson, and Washington Wizards Russell Westbrook have been nominated.
To vote, go to https://www.nba.com/news/vote-for-the-2020-21-nba-cares-seasonlong-community-assist-award