NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for November.  Ayton is being recognized for his leadership in spearheading hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica and creating programs that promote food access and cultural equity among underrepresented youth in Los Angeles.  The NBA and the NBPA Foundation will donate $20,000 to the Ayton Family Foundation (AFF) in recognition of his efforts.

In July, Ayton and AFF reopened the Cedar Spring Community Center in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica – his mother’s hometown – transforming it into a hub for education, health, and recreation.  To celebrate, Ayton hosted a community day for more than 100 children and families, providing free medical and dental screenings, school supplies, sneakers, and a full community meal.  The refurbished center now serves as a safe space for youth programming, mentorship and family engagement.  Following Hurricane Melissa, Ayton mobilized an immediate relief plan, committing $100,000 to rebuilding efforts and activating the Cedar Spring Community Center as an emergency shelter and distribution hub.  AFF coordinated shipments of food and essential goods and is funding new zinc roofs for 30 families and pledged funds for long-term rebuilding in 2026.

In Los Angeles, Ayton launched the Ayton Alley Oop Program, donating tickets to Lakers games and other sporting events for youth from underrepresented communities.  Through collaborations with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, Salvation Army, and SüprMarkt LA, AFF is advancing food justice and cultural inclusion.  Ayton has also committed $25,000 to support SüprMarkt LA’s SNAP BACK initiative, which provides fresh produce and healthy meals to families in need.

“My family taught me that feeding people is love, and that’s exactly what the Foundation represents,” said Ayton.  “We honor our roots by giving back, creating access, and building a stronger future for the communities that made us who we are.”

The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years.  He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity.  The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, which recognizes the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their communities throughout the NBA season.  Each NBA season has an offseason winner followed by seven monthly award winners.  The offseason winner receives the Bob Lanier trophy, and each monthly winner receives the David Robinson trophy.  The NBA and the NBPA Foundation also make a donation to the charity or foundation of the player’s choice.  To learn more, please visit communityassist.nba.com.

About NBA Social Impact & Inclusion and NBA Cares
NBA Social Impact & Inclusion drives change on issues facing fans and communities by advancing needed resources and proven partners while creating data-driven strategies and programming to impact the NBA ecosystem and empower colleagues to bring their best self to work to drive global success.  NBA Cares works with NBA players and teams to highlight important issues through the NBA’s digital, social and broadcast channels, live events and partnerships.

About the NBPA Foundation
Established in 1997, the National Basketball Players Association Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members and providing support and assistance to persons, communities, and organizations throughout the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. Through grants that match players’ philanthropy and charitable giving, the Foundation highlights and accelerates the real and collaborative work that basketball players do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change.