UNC Basketball: Harrison Barnes receives Community Assist Award

The former Tar Heel has been recognized by the NBA as one of five recipients for the NBA Cares Community Assist Award.

Throughout his professional basketball career, Harrison Barnes has worked extremely hard to make a positive impact on the community. Regardless of where he was playing, Barnes has found ways to help the community that surrounds him.

This year alone, Barnes and his family have made tremendous contributions to areas that have impacted him throughout his playing career.

In Sacramento, the Barnes’ family teamed up with the Sierra Health Foundation to donate $40,000 to help fund weekly grocery orders for families and senior citizens who were impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

In Dallas (where Barnes once played for the Mavericks) they donated an additional $40,000 to Hunger Busters, a local non-profit organization, to help provide daily meals for Dallas Independent School District Students. The Barnes family also made a donation the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas to help them purchase cleaning supplies and protective equipment for the club’s reopening.

Along with helping these great causes, Barnes hasn’t forgotten where he came from. His family help fund a renovation project at Ames High School (Barnes’ alma mater), where the money was used to update the school’s gym.

Barnes has also served as a leader among the NBA community in regards to fighting for meaningful changes to help combat racial and social injustices. During the Kings’ time in the NBA Bubble, the former Tar Heel dedicated each game to a different organization that focuses on these injustices. The 28-year-old also made a donation to each non-profit organization that was created by families who have been impacted by gun violence or police brutality.

Although he certainly isn’t looking for recognition, the NBA has awarded Barnes with the NBA Community Assist Award for the 2019-2020 season.

Barnes is one of five recipients for the award, joining the following players:

Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
George Hill (Milwaukee Bucks)
Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks)

As part of winning the award, a $10,000 donation from the NBA and Kaiser Permanente will be presented to the African American Policy Forum, a charity that was selected by Barnes.

Here is an official statement from Barnes regarding being a recipient of this award (as per the official Sacramento Kings press release):

"“It is a great honor to be named among the winners of the NBA Community Assist Award, which I proudly share with my wife, Brittany. Brittany and I remain committed to helping the communities we are connected to, specifically showing our support for families affected by police brutality. We dedicate this award to the legacy of Breonna Taylor, and we stand with organizations such as #SayHerName with African American Policy Forum to shine a light on Black women and girls who have been victims of police brutality. We cannot forget them, and the Black men senselessly killed. Our efforts are not done, and we will continue to make a difference to fuel racial and social justice.”"

Barnes recently wrapped up his seventh season in the NBA. As he continues his professional career, expect Barnes and his family to continue helping the community in any way that they possibly can.

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