From our friends at the NBA:
NEW YORK, March 24, 2011 – Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings is the recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for February in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work, the NBA announced today.
The NBA is honoring Jennings in part for what he did to give back to California children and families while in his home state for NBA All-Star 2011. Jennings tipped off All-Star Weekend with a special visit to his preschool, Double Rock Learning Center in Compton, Calif., where he provided much-needed refurbishments to the facility’s interior and playground. He joined students and their families to explore the revamped playground and distributed gift bags to each child complete with books, T-shirts and water bottles. To show his appreciation for the community that helped him hone his basketball skills, Jennings then headed to Gardena, Calif., where he partnered with Under Armour to refurbish his childhood basketball court in Rowley Park. Jennings invited community members to the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was complete with a barbeque, ice cream, free haircuts, and more.
“Being a part of the community is really important to me,” Jennings said. “My hometown community in California was always behind me, hoping I’d do well. Now, Milwaukee is my community. It’s important to give back to make sure that people know how much you appreciate their support.”
Understanding the need for positive role models and a safe place for kids to go outside of school, Jennings has devoted much of his time this season to giving back to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. Just after returning from All-Star, Jennings joined several teammates to host a basketball clinic for more than 350 Boys & Girls Club members and emphasized the importance of maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. He continued his community outreach efforts that week by visiting a local senior center with a group of high school students and reading to hundreds of students during the annual Bucks Book Blast at the Bradley Center.
As an NBA Cares Community Assist Award recipient, Jennings 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, the NBA will donate $5,000 on Jennings’ behalf to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee.
The league presents the NBA Cares Community Assist Award monthly throughout the season and once following each offseason to recognize players for their year-round charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.
To learn more about NBA Cares, please log on to www.nbacares.com.
