Kings’ Barnes among recipients of NBA Cares Community Assist Award

Kings forward Harrison Barnes was one of five recipients of the End-of-Season NBA Cares Community Assist Award, the league announced Monday.

Barnes received the award along with Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul and Dallas Mavericks forward/center Dwight Powell. The awards recognize each player’s continued commitment to positively impact their communities through sustained efforts over the course of the season.

The NBA said this season’s awards recognize five players whose exemplary work advanced social justice and provided COVID-19 relief and support. The league noted that each player made a concerted effort throughout the 2019-20 season to use their respective voices and platforms to engage, empower and support their communities amid unprecedented issues stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Each player will receive $10,000 to be directed to the charity of their choice. Barnes has chosen the African American Policy Forum as the recipient of his donation, the NBA said.

Barnes has provided support to youth, families and frontline workers in Sacramento, Dallas and his hometown of Ames, Iowa. Barnes and his wife donated $40,000 to Hunger Busters, a nonprofit organization that provides daily meals for students in the Dallas Independent School District, and $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas. Barnes also donated nearly $200,000 for refurbishments at Ames High School, his alma mater, to help provide a safe and healthy learning environment.