Gary Payton II made giving back to his community a priority.
New York – The NBA announced today that it will be renaming the season-long NBA Cares Community Assistance Award in honor of the late Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Global Ambassador Bob Lanier for his dedication to teaching NBA values and generating community Positive impact globally. The first recipient of Kaiser Permanente’s new Bob Lanier Community Assistance Award for the 2021-22 season is Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II. Payton was selected by fans during a 12-day open vote and by the NBA executive panel for his continued community outreach to support Bay Area youth during the season.
Payton II prioritizes engagement and giving back to his community, especially through initiatives related to youth with learning disabilities and those dealing with difficulties. This season, he founded the GPII Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes dyslexia, an educational disorder he has dealt with throughout his life. The foundation provides funding for educators to become certified in early intervention services and supports students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, including early screening, testing and certification assessments for youth and young adults.
Golden State @warrior Gary Payton II (@garrydwayne) awarded by Kaiser Permanente (@kpthriv) for his continued support of youth facing difficulties and learning disabilities.
Learn more: https://t.co/sQM3e4aRIz pic.twitter.com/8v6AhDLe2P
— NBA Cares (@nbacares) May 31, 2022
Payton’s own personal struggles with dyslexia, as well as his passion and efforts to elevate affected youth, led the Warriors to expand their reading to fulfillment program to specifically include students with learning disabilities. He also led a rally at San Francisco City Hall in support of universal screening for dyslexia risk through Senate Bill 237, and held his first reading reading rally Decoded Reading for students affected by learning disabilities obstacle. Additionally, Payton participated in the Warriors’ Black History Month celebration and 75th Anniversary Field, Learning or Game Center Dedication, and other events. He received the January Monthly NBA Caring Community Assistance Award from Kaiser Permanente.
As a league office executive and NBA global ambassador for over 30 years, Lanier has made a huge impact on the NBA family and young people around the world, traveling the world teaching the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity. A writer and humanitarian, Lanier received many distinguished awards throughout his life, including the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Heritage Award for significant contributions to civil and human rights and the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship as a player prize. The legacy he built will continue through the season-long Community Assistance Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impact their communities throughout the NBA season.
The man of man!@garrydwayne Recipient of the NBA’s 2021-22 Bob Lanier Community Assistance Award for his outstanding work with Bay Area youth throughout the season 👏 pic.twitter.com/RlVbRxqGfp
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 31, 2022
The Warriors and the NBA will recognize Payton during the 2022 NBA Finals on YouTube TV. The GPII Foundation will receive $75,000 in donations from the NBA and Kaiser Permanente in honor of the league’s 75thth Anniversary season.
To learn more about the NBA Cares Community Assist Award from Kaiser Permanente, visit here.