NEW YORK – Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is the recipient of the “2012-13 Seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award” in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work, the NBA announced today. The award recognizes the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.  This year marked the first time that fans helped to select the winner.

This season, Wade and his Wade’s World Foundation provided an assist to a number of non-profit organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Founded in 2003, Wade’s World Foundation supports literacy, health, and fatherhood primarily in underserved communities throughout Chicago, Milwaukee, and South Florida. The nine-time NBA All-Star continues to be an active voice in the promotion of fatherhood and family, this season joining best-selling author James Patterson for a national online webcast to promote literacy among young people across the country.

“I am so honored the fans have selected me to receive this year’s Seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award,” said Wade. “Community has always been very important to me, and I am grateful to have the opportunity through Wade’s World Foundation to give back in any way that I can.”

Wade was selected as the “2012-13 Seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award” winner by fans and a distinguished panel of NBA judges, including past J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winners and NBA Legends Bob Lanier and Dikembe Mutombo.  Fan voting took place on a dedicated tab on the NBA Facebook page.

Prior to tomorrow night’s home game against the Indiana Pacers, NBA Cares Ambassador Bob Lanier and a Kia representative will present Wade with the “2012-13 Seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award.” Wade will receive the David Robinson Plaque bearing the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.”  In addition, Kia and the NBA will donate $25,000 on Wade’s behalf to Wade’s World Foundation.

Kia Motors has been an NBA Cares partner since 2010.  In addition to the “Seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award,” the league presents the “Kia Community Assist Award” monthly throughout the season to recognize players for their charitable efforts.

To learn more, please log on to www.nba.com/kiacommunityassist.