Trae Young Earns NBA Cares Community Assist Award; Donates $10K

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young will be recognized Saturday for his work in the community. The award will be presented to him during the game against the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA announced Friday.

He earned the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January. Hawks legend Dikembe Mutombo will present it during a special ceremony. One player is recognized each month.

$10,000 will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta on behalf of Young by the NBA and award sponsor Kaiser Permanente.

“It’s very important to me that I use my platform to make a difference and give back in any way I can,” Young said in a prepared statement.

“Working with kids across the city is not only a rewarding and inspiring experience, but something that I genuinely love to do. The city of Atlanta and everyone in it has welcomed and supported me with open arms from the very beginning and I’m honored to give back to the community every chance I get.”

Young helped alleviate financial hardship for Atlanta families by partnering with RIP Medical Debt to relieve insurmountable health expenses. He donated $10,000 through the Trae Young Foundation, to help eliminate more than $1 million of medical debt for nearly 600 individuals throughout Atlanta.

He also created the Trae Young Basketball Academy in 2019 to help youth in his hometown of Oklahoma develop their skills and learn the value of the game. The academy promotes education, inclusion, health and wellness.