New York, NY (Sports Network) – Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest has been named the recipient of the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.
The award is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association and honors an NBA player or coach for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Artest won for his efforts to promote awareness of mental health, including fund-raising, appearing before Congress in support of Mental Health in Schools Act and his all-around advocacy on the issue. Artest also raffled off his 2010 NBA championship ring, raising more than $650,000 for mental health awareness, and took part in a public service announcement in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
The finalists for the award this season were Artest, Marcus Camby of the Portland Trail Blazers, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls.
First presented in 1975 to Washington’s Wes Unseld, other Lakers selected for the honor were Michael Cooper in 1986 and Magic Johnson in 1992.
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