NEW YORK – Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph received the November Kia Community Assist Award in recognition of his charitable efforts and contributions in the community, the NBA announced today. The award recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.

Kia Motors and the NBA are honoring Randolph for his continued dedication to helping underprivileged children and families in need. As a part of the NBA’s Season of Giving, Randolph distributed 900 Thanksgiving food baskets at Booker T. Washington High School and Hamilton High School in Memphis. At both events, select families received tickets from Randolph to attend an upcoming Grizzlies game. Randolph also donated 500 turkeys and 500 spiral hams to be given away to 1,000 people at the Clarence Faulkner Community Center in Marion, Ind. In addition to Thanksgiving meals, he contributed 300 winter coats to students at Memphis’ A.B. Hill Elementary.

“I love to give back to kids in need and from single-parent homes because I was one of those kids growing up, so I feel as though I can relate,” said Randolph. “It’s a blessing for me to be able to help someone else.”

Prior to tonight’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA Cares Ambassador Bob Lanier and a Kia representative will present Randolph with the David Robinson Plaque during an oncourt ceremony. In addition, Kia and the NBA will donate $10,000 on Randolph’s behalf to the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Randolph’s generous donations are a part of the leagues larger Season of Giving “NBA Give BIG” program that aims to encourage great work in the community during the holidays. This year the NBA launched its first-ever social media photo mosaic at www.NBA.com/NBAGiveBIG to celebrate and inspire charitable efforts around the world. By using the hashtag #NBAGiveBIG on Twitter and Instagram, fans can join the teams, players and all members of the NBA family by sharing photos, videos and stories from their seasonal community projects.

Kia Motors has been an NBA Cares partner since 2010. In addition to the monthly Kia Community Assist Awards, the league will present a final 2013-14 Seasonlong Kia Community Assist Award.

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