Wizards' Kyle Kuzma wins NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award

The NBA announced Washington Wizardsforward Kyle Kuzma as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community AssistAward winner for November for giving back to his hometown of Flint,Michigan and hosting a special event through his foundation (KyleKuzma Family Foundation).

Each month, the NBA Cares Bob LanierCommunity Assist Award recognizes a player monthly for theiroutstanding work in the community.

On November 26, Kuzma surprisedmothers at the Genesee County Jail in Flint with clothing and giftsfor them and their children for the holidays. Kuzma alsounveiled Kuz’s corner – two newly renovated jail cells as a part ofa larger effort to upgrade the facility’s conditions.

In conjunction with the event, Kuzmaannounced the launch of a special partnership through hisfoundation with I.G.N.I.T.E. and R.I.S.E. to support residents ofthe facility for a successful future when they re-entersociety. I.G.N.I.T.E’s mission is to reverse the cycle ofgenerational incarceration through education by providing residentswith valuable job training and skills that they can use uponrelease to gain employment and reduce the likelihood ofreoffending. Since inception in 2020, I.G.N.I.T.E. hasprovided more than 250,000 hours of educational training to over2,500 residents leading to a reduction of assaults and violentoffenses in the jail by 97%. R.I.S.E.’s mission is to ensurethat residents in the Genesee County Jail have access to behavioraland social health support services and complements the work ofI.G.N.I.T.E.

Also in November, Kuzma and othersfrom Monumental Basketball (Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics,Capital City Go-Go and Wizards District Gaming) partnered to hostThankful Meals presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, acommunity outreach event to serve Washington D.C.’s Ward 7 and Ward8 residents. Kuzma distributed over 1,500 hot meals fromBlack-owned restaurant Henry’s Soul Café. Those in attendancealso went home with a GIANT food store gift card.

“Helping to uplift the communitiesthat are special to me is a privilege, so being recognized for thatwork is a humbling experience, particularly when it takes placeduring the season of giving,” said Kuzma. “I’m proud to sharethis honor with my family and support system as well as myteammates and the entire Wizards organization, as all of us arecommitted to continuing to make a difference in the lives ofothers.”

Kuzma will be recognized in-arena asthe NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner duringpre-game of the Dec. 29 Nets-Wizards game. Washington WizardsGeneral Manager Will Dawkins will present him with the award.