Dwight Powell nominated for NBA Community Assist Award for the third time in past five seasons

Dallas Mavericks veteran center Dwight Powell has been nominated for the season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award for a remarkable third time in the past five seasons, the NBA announced today.

Powell and nine other players from around the league were announced as finalists for the 2022-23 Bob Lanier Seasonlong Community Assist Award (CAA), one of the highest recognitions an NBA player can receive. 

The CAA is a special award that honors a player for his outstanding commitment to the community throughout the season while upholding the league’s values of teamwork, respect and inclusion.

Voting is now open until May 21, and fans and an executive panel will choose the winner.

Click here to learn more and vote now. 

“Dwight has a heart of gold and has always believed in giving back,” said Katie Edwards, Chief Impact Officer at the Dallas Mavericks. “He gives and gives to his teammates, to his Mavs family and to the community. His character and integrity show in his hard work and commitment to excellence both on the court and off, but also in how he treats people with love and respect. He models to all of us what it means to be a good human. I am so proud of him and eternally grateful for the impact he makes here in North Texas and beyond.”

Powell’s community work in 2022-23 is an extensive collection of outreach efforts. Most notably, in terms of impact, Powell and his network of supporters presented a check for $100,000 to the Dwight Powell Children and Family Support Program during the holidays. Powell and his supporters have donated millions of dollars to the fund in the past five seasons. 

Powell led the Dallas Mavs this season in community appearances. Furthermore, he hosted a child or family during almost every game this season.

Community outreach is embedded in his DNA, and he has evolved into one of the most giving athletes in professional sports. 

Powell picked up the first NBA Cares Award of his career in October 2018 and later became a finalist for the yearly award at the end of the 2018-2019 season. 

In 2020, Powell became the first Dallas Mavericks player in franchise history to win the yearly NBA Cares Award since the league started selecting overall winners after the 2011-12 season. He was one of five winners in 2019-2020 due to the unique circumstances of the pandemic and social justice movement. 

The Toronto native was also the Dallas Mavericks nominee this season for the 2022-23 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award.

Throughout the season, Powell is often the first player to step forward and donate his time, resources, and efforts to better people’s lives, especially children. In March 2023, he also hosted the organization’s largest meet and greet of the season when he hosted children after the game for Developmental Disability Awareness Month.

The Stanford graduate started the season strongly in the community, committing over $14,000 and 500 tickets to nonprofit organizations across North Texas to attend Mavericks games free of charge. 

“The game of basketball has provided me a great deal, and playing in this league has always been my dream,” Powell said. “Supporting families in their time of need and hopefully allowing kids a chance to live their dreams themselves means so much more to me.”

Powell has been a longtime staple in the community, and his desire to give back this year has been extraordinary. 

After losing his mother to breast cancer in 2012, he created the Dwight Powell Children and Family Support Program in partnership with UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center to help patients and their children cope with the hardships of cancer. The fund offers transportation assistance, family-centered workshops about employment and insurance benefits, “legacy projects” for those facing terminal diagnoses, music therapy, expenses for school supplies, after-school care, tutoring or extracurricular activities, and meal and home cleaning services.

The program is the first of its kind in Texas because the fund is run by the social workers at the hospital, and a need-based form is given to the patients to determine who qualifies for aid. This is extraordinarily unique and beneficial for families whose needs on paper might vastly differ from their actual situation at home.  

Since creating his cancer fund, Powell has remained a constant beacon of light for the children and families he serves, utilizing the game of basketball as a powerful platform to bring joy and hope to the people he supports. 

The NBA announced last season plans to rename the season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award in honor of the late Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Global Ambassador, Bob Lanier, for his dedication to teaching NBA values and making a positive impact on communities across the globe. The winner is selected by fans during a 12-day public voting period and by an NBA executive panel that evaluates all nominee’s sustained community outreach efforts throughout the season. 

At 31, Powell has already had a tremendous impact on the NBA, both on and off the court. His story is one of pain that evolved into purpose, a mission to honor his mother by bringing hope and joy into the lives of so many. He’s a team-first guy and the heartbeat of the Dallas Mavs organization. 

Powell said his late mother would expect nothing less.

“Everything I do — even before, when she was alive — was to make her proud,” Powell shared. “Especially now I understand, I’m carrying a legacy for both of us, trying to make sure all the lessons she taught me I’m continuing with her in mind.”

HOW TO VOTE 

live now until Saturday, May 21, using:

·      Jebbit: View player vignettes sharing their impacts on communities on Jebbit’s platform and vote for the player they think best serves their community. 

The 2022-23 CAA winner will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice. For more information on voting, visit mavs.com/votefordwight.

IT’S MORE THAN A CANCER FUND:
POWELL HOSTS FAMILIES AT GAMES ALL SEASON

The Dwight Powell Children and Family Support Program at UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center was created in memory of Powell’s mother, Jacqueline Weir, who passed away in 2012. She never saw her son play an NBA game, but her memory lives on through her only child. The fund assists patients and their families in coping with the hardships of cancer.

Powell decided that should he make it to the NBA, he would dedicate his career to a calling much more significant than himself and use the tools his mom taught him to help others.

“She said if you want something, nothing can stop you from getting it other than your own decisions,” Powell said. “A few of the things we discussed are in the works now, so hopefully, she’s looking down and smiling.”

Powell is more than just a donor to this fund. He actively engages and helps families benefiting from the program. He visits with the children and families, works with those leading the fund to grow and develop it, and hosts cancer fighters at games.

Before the Mavs’ nationally televised game against the Bucks in early December 2022, Powell hosted a young man with cancer named Jason “Stone” Lester.

The 23-year-old is a part of his UTSWA fund, and he was treated to a VIP experience at the game and visited with Powell and other team members courtside. 

“This is a dream come true,” Lester said, as he smiled and turned around to show where Powell’s teammate Luka Doncic signed the young man’s jersey. “I never imagined Dwight would do all of this. It’s been amazing.”

Powell’s community support has impacted thousands of children and families since he was traded to Dallas on Dec. 18, 2014.

The longest-tenured member of the Mavericks has been a permanent fixture in the community and helped families and children in various ways. His support during the Season of Giving has been extraordinary. 

“Dwight Powell’s community support has been far-reaching,” said Hannah Sherertz, Dallas Mavs director of social responsibility. “He has helped families deal with unexpected costs when their kids are hospitalized. He has been a constant giver at holiday time, advocating for education and learning opportunities. That generous spirit has made Powell a treasured community member, which he has also embraced.”

OTHER POWELL COMMUNITY EFFORTS THIS SEASON

Social Justice Support Through Art 

Social justice and race relations are two critical areas of importance for Dwight Powell, and he continues to give back in personal and meaningful ways throughout the season. In March 2023, Powell joined the Mavericks and local high school students to visit the African American Museum. He later purchased artwork from a local Black artist named Daisha Board, a Dallas Mavs Business Assist Program member. 

“A lot of times people think that art is not accessible, and they think it’s only for the elite,” Board said. “And when they see the athletes come in, they’re like, ‘Wow, I’m curious about this, too.’ Dwight came in a few weeks ago and bought his first piece of art with me. Even someone of that status, collect things and material things, and to really have ownership is part of the assets that we bring for ourselves. I’m really glad and proud that we have a range — a wide range — of collectors.”

Powell’s visit to the African American Museum revealed a secret that very few people know about him — he’s an artist in his spare time. The native of Toronto, Canada, explained how artwork allows him to step away from the court and use his creative talents in various ways. He also loves to display artwork at home. 

“I don’t have anything on my walls that was not created by someone I know, or that was personally made,” Powell said.

Game Night Events 

In late November 2022, Powell hosted a young man, Dontae, and his family from his fund at UTSW when the Mavs faced the Warriors. The family was so grateful for the opportunity to Donate and knew this experience would put a smile on his face and make lasting memories.

“After the game, Dontae had a special surprise for Dwight,” said Hannah Sherertz. “It was a breast cancer pin, which Powell gratefully accepted and returned the favor to young Dontae, taking him around the locker room where he met many more Mavericks stars and got to make some shots on the practice court.”

In March 2023, Powell purchased suites for 44 UTSW Medical Center staff for the home game against the Pacers. The specific team that attended helps with programming for the Dwight Powell Children and Family Support program at the hospital. He also hosted 40 children from three organizations in honor of Development Disability Awareness Month. It was the Mavs’ largest meet and greet of the season. 

“In my opinion, being a community member means lending your neighbor a hand whenever needed and searching for ways to help make your community a better place for all who live there,” Powell said.

Community Ticket Program

Powell donated $14,000 and 500 tickets to nonprofit organizations across North Texas to attend Mavericks games free of charge with the Mavericks Community Ticket Program. In addition to the ticket donation, Powell provides exclusive meet and greets with the groups that support him. 

Mavs Turkey Giveaway

The native of Toronto, Canada, once again led the way with the Mavs Turkey Giveaway in November. He dished out 250 meals to families in need. He’s participated in the event almost every year since joining the Mavs. 

“It’s really about the people,” Powell said with a big smile, “but I want them to know they matter, so we take pride in even loading up their groceries. The community does so much for us, so to be able to give back in any way is what this job is all about. So, we are very blessed and grateful to have this opportunity.” 

Holiday Hospital Visit

On Dec. 16, 2022, Powell joined two teammates to do Children’s Medical Dallas hospital visits with patients. They said it was the least they could do because most kids won’t go home for the holidays. Children’s Medical organizers said it was the largest turnout for an event this year, crediting the patients’ love for the Dallas Mavericks. Powell said the kids inspire him to be grateful and view them as superheroes. Perhaps one of the most endearing moments happened during patient room visits when a little boy swished a shot from his bed and caused the whole room to erupt in cheers.

Powell Pays Layaway Balances 

Powell also surprised families in North Texas, again paying off their layaway balances and taking them on a shopping spree. The financial contributions exceeded well over $10,000. He’s done this every season since joining the Dallas Mavs. The 6-10 forward also joined the Dallas Mavericks for the franchise’s annual Cookies with Santa event, and he enthusiastically helped children do arts and crafts and open their new presents. He also privately donates and gives back to children and families in numerous other ways.

Powell understands that his platform comes with great responsibility, and he is always ready to lend a helping hand. During the holidays, he joined the Dallas Mavericks for an event called Cookies with Santa and hosted local children facing homelessness. Furthermore, he was a great resource and contributor at the eighth annual Mavs Ball, which raised a record $1.85 million this year. 

“This night is huge,” he said. “The Mavs Foundation and all the things we can do as Mavs players in the community are the best part of the job.”

A State Fair of Texas visit with Maxi Kleber and Powell netted $50,000 for the organization.