Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has been named the winner of the 2019-20 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
The award, named after the second commissioner of the NBA, is presented to a player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Brogdon is the second Pacer to win the award. Reggie Miller won the award in 2003-04.
The other finalists this year were Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, who played for the New Orleans Pelicans), Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie and Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce.
"The depth and breadth of Malcolm Brogdon's commitment to making a positive difference is inspiring," PBWA President Josh Robbins of The Athletic said. "Members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association salute him and commend his fellow finalists and nominees for their exemplary work."
A four-year NBA veteran, Brogdon is being honored for his commitment to education, gender and health equality as well as his support for criminal justice and voting reform. In July, he launched the Brogdon Family Foundation wioth a focus on two major initiatives, Hoops4Humanity and the JHA Education Project.
Hoops4Humanity, led by Brogdon and several other NBA and WNBA players, seeks to create access to clean water and education for children and families in Africa. It builds on Hoos2O, a program founded by Brogdon in 2018 that raised nearly $700,000 in 18 months to build water wells in Tanzania.
The JHA Education Project celebrates the legacy of Brogdon's maternal grandfather, former civil rights leader and Paul Quinn College President John Hurst Adams. The project focuses on literacy, mentoring and infrastructure programs for students in underserved communities.
