Elliot Cadeau has the honor of receiving the Global Impact MLK Award due to his charity efforts beyond the basketball court. While he is a Division I basketball player for the University of North Carolina, Cadeau shows his support for the game through a different lens.
Adam Zagoria of NJ.com shared the news:
North Carolina guard, N.J. native Eliot Cadeau set to receive Global Impact MLK Award for charity work https://t.co/N0S4oxE2u3 @thecadeaus @ElliotCadeau @UNC_Basketball
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 9, 2025
Cadeau continues to improve his game during his sophomore season on campus — increasing his three-point percentage from 18.9% to 28.6%. His recent big-time moment converting a four-point play against Notre Dame to seal the deal and keep the UNC basketball program's NCAA Tournament hopes afloat has been one of the team's highlights — outlying the many downs they have experienced.
Zagoria wrote about Cadeau giving back and more saying:
"The 6-foot-1 sophomore point guard at North Carolina has been especially active in charity in both New Jersey and North Carolina, and is set to receive the 2025 Global Impact Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award on Jan. 15 at Liberty Middle School in West Orange, N.J. The award will be presented by the West Orange Human Relations Commission under the Office of the West Orange Township Mayor.
To get this award was a big surprise,” said Cadeau, who is averaging 10.4 points, 5.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds for the Tar Heels (10-6, 3-1 ACC). “It means a lot that people see what me and my mom are doing. To get nominated by someone in the community feels great. I also like that it can show other young athletes that we can give back. Many helped us and now it is time for us to pay that back. I am very grateful for the award.”
Cadeau’s givebacks include: free camps for underprivileged kids in New Jersey and North Carolina; school supplies and back packs to kids at the Hargrave Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.; supporting his elementary school’s basketball teams with training gear and basketballs; helping Swedish players get exposure in the U.S.; and a plan to restore basketball courts in underprivileged parts of Sweden, Haiti and N.J."
Whether it's North Carolina or Sweeden, Cadeau has made his mark and it makes sense why the award is ending up with him.
He's handing out assists on and off the hardwood. And that's something nobody should take for granted.