University of North Carolina Athletics
Antawn Jamison Earns Community Assist Award
August 12, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 12, 2003
New York, N.Y. -- Golden State Warriors forward Antawn Jamison is the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award for the month of July. During his five years in the NBA, the Charlotte native has worked to make an impact in the community both in North Carolina and in the Bay Area. Jamison will be presented today with the David Robinson Plaque in recognition of his community outreach.
In early July, it was brought to Jamison's attention that a family near his hometown was having difficulty raising the funds necessary to complete their Habitat-for-Humanity home. The deserving mother and son had been able to raise half of the $48,000 needed to build the home, and a lack of funds forced builders to stop working on the house numerous times. Jamison immediately donated $10,000 and searched for a corporate partner to donate the rest. After having no luck in finding a partner, Jamison decided to fund the entire project himself.
"It's all about giving back," Jamison explains. "It makes me sleep better at night knowing I actually made a difference. As a professional athlete, I have an obligation to help those less fortunate. I really enjoy being in a position to aid my community -- both in the Bay Area and back home in Charlotte -- and put a smile on somebody's face."
Since his rookie season, Jamison has sponsored "Antawn's Army," a charity ticket program for which he purchases tickets for various youth organizations and students. Every month these groups are able to attend a Warriors home game as his special guests.
He also has participated in several of the Warriors' ongoing educational, health and recreational programs, including the Read to Achieve "Tall Tales" Reading Program, Warriors Basketball Camp and the Warriors Prostate Cancer Awarness Program. Jamsion also serves as a member of the Warriors Foundation Board of Directors.
Additionally, Jamison has launched a campaign called "A Better Tomorrow" as a means to execute service projects to strengthen his relationship with the community both in the Bay Area and in North Carolina, and to provide assistance to those less fortunate. Jamison also began the Extra Effort Awards program this spring with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system that rewarded approximately 200 students in six middle and high schools for their dedication and hard work with pizza parties, autographed certificates and recognition on his website.
He also presented his first annual Antawn C. Jamison Scholarship to two students from his former high school, Providence High. Each student will receive $1,000 each year that they enroll in college for a total of four years.
Jamison joins the Minnesota Timberwolves' Troy Hudson, Ervin Johnson and Mark Madsen, Phoenix Suns' Shawn Marion and Los Angeles Clippers' Cherokee Parks (June); Washington Wizards' Jerry Stackhouse (May); New York Knicks' Allan Houston (April); Orlando Magic's Darrell Armstrong (March); Sacramento Kings' Chris Webber (February); San Antonio Spurs' Malik Rose (January); Detroit Pistons' Michael Curry (December); Dallas Mavericks' Michael Finley (November); and Philadelphia 76ers' Todd MacCulloch (October) in the Community Assist Award winners' circle for the 2002-03 NBA season.
As the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award, Jamison 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." On March 23rd, NBA Commissioner David Stern presented San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson with an honorary plaque and announced that all future winners of the NBA Community Assist Award would receive the David Robinson Plaque.
The NBA Community Assist Award is given out monthly by the league to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who reflects the passion that the league and its players have for their communities. All 29 NBA teams are able to nominate a player for the award each month.
The NBA, its teams and players are committed to programs that improve the quality of life for all people and has created and implemented programs that address important social issues, with a special emphasis on reading and online literacy initiatives for children. The NBA and its 29 teams make a difference in North America through the Read to Achieve Program, donations to charities and the implementation of community outreach initiatives, and through the production and airing of public service announcements.
