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The 2024 NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist award recipient is Luka Dončić, the league announced on Friday.One of the league’s most esteemed honours for community service, it is given to individuals who have made significant contributions.Following the original report on Mavs.com when Luka was nominated for the award earlier in April, is the official NBA news release.
April 26, 2024 – The NBA today announced Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of April. Dončić is being recognized for his efforts in providing memorable experiences for youth and uplifting communities. Dončić will receive the David Robinson trophy and the NBA will donate $10,000 to the Luka Dončić Foundation, which aims to empower local heroes who bring the magic of sports and active play to children in their communities.
Dončić has played an active role in creating unforgettable moments for youth, working through his foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, and non-profit organizations like Make-A-Wish, Dončić hosted multiple events including gift giveaways, meet-and-greets, children’s hospital visits and granting the wishes of children facing serious illnesses. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, Dončić hosted 50 students at the American Airlines Center to attend a Mavericks home game, many of whom have never previously attended an NBA game. The experience included tickets, transportation and meals provided by Dončić as well as a personal meet-and-greet.
Additionally, during the holiday season, Doncic teamed up with NERF and Jordan Brand and gifted hundreds of students from local schools and the Heroes Foundation NERF basketball hoops, NERF blasters and Luka’s Jordan Brand signature t-shirts and Luka 2’s.
At Cook Children’s Medical Center, Dončić donated gifts, hand knit hats and blankets to the families of nearly 100 premature newborn children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Recognizing the heavy financial strains families suffer during a baby’s often long hospitalization, Dončić provided financial support to NICU families who are in need of assistance with paying mortgages and rent, utility bills, car payments and more.
During the Mavs Ball – which is the Mavericks annual auction fundraiser, Dončić provided $43,000 to the Mavs Foundation in bids during the auction. Dončić’s impact extends beyond the Dallas-Fort Worth community. During the Maverick’s trip to Madrid, Spain for a preseason game, Dončić visited the local children’s hospital to meet and give gifts to many of his fans across the world that otherwise would not have the opportunity to watch a Mavericks game in person or meet Dončić in Dallas.
Additionally, the Luka Dončić Foundation hosted a holiday party and distributed gifts to nearly 70 youth at youth care center Malči Belič Ljubljana in Slovenia. The Luka Dončić Foundation also delivered gifts to youth at the residential and counseling institution Verzej in Slovenia.
“I have a big responsibility to give back by helping wherever I can,” Dončić remarked, “basketball has given me so much.” “It means the world to me to continue expanding the work of my foundation by helping those spearheading incredible community initiatives, establishing more connections with youth, and promoting greater love and charity. Next year, I hope we can have even more of an influence.
The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner, Dončić, will be acknowledged in-arena during the Clippers-Mavericks NBA Playoffs Game 4 halftime on April 28. Governor Patrick Dumont of the Dallas Mavericks and CEO Cynt Marshall will give him the honour.
Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for over 30 years, is honoured with the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award. He travelled the globe to impart the game’s values to young people and made a significant impact on the NBA family as well as young people worldwide via his generosity and kindness. Through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, which recognises the upcoming generation of players for their dedication to having a good impact on their community throughout the NBA season, the legacy he created will live on. Every NBA season begins with an offseason winner and ends with seven monthly award winners. The NBA donates, and each champion gets the David Robinson trophy.
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