DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell has always been known as one of the good guys around the DFW Metroplex.
The NBA recognized Powell on Monday for his efforts in the community when they announced that he is one of five players to receive the NBA Cares 2019-20 End-of-Season Community Assist Award.
“The game of basketball has provided me a great deal and playing in this league has always been my dream,” Powell said. “But more importantly, to be able to support families in their time of need and hopefully allow kids a chance to live their dreams themselves means so much more to me.”
Powell is the first Maverick to ever receive the yearly award. Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Michael Finley, J.J. Barea, Greg Buckner and Jason Kidd have all been named NBA Cares monthly community assist award winners.
After Powell lost his mother to breast cancer in 2012, he created the Dwight Powell Children and Family Support Fund in partnership with UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. The foundation helps patients and their children cope with the hardships of cancer.
Last October, Powell hosted “A Night of Hope” with help from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and head coach Rick Carlisle. The sold-out fundraiser raised more than $750,000 for the Dwight Powell Children and Family Support Fund.
“Dwight is super-smart,” Cuban said. “He has a great heart, is authentic. Dwight should be a candidate for the NBA Cares Award every year. Dwight is always looking to what he can do for others. He is the definition of selfless. He is just a great guy by every measure.”
The other four winners this year were Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Oklahoma City guard Chris Paul, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill.
You can read more on Powell's award right here on the team's website.