Steph Curry, superstar for the Golden State Warriors, was named the 2023 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award recipient for his “inspiring work in the community,” according to Thursday’s announcement by the Pro Basketball Writers Association.

 

The 14-year NBA veteran and MVP of the league’s 75th anniversary game, Stephen Curry, has been actively involved in promoting young reading, health, and nutrition, as well as supporting gender parity in sports, according to the PBWA. Curry has made it a point to meet with supporters and local organizations all season long.

In the 2022–23 season, Curry was one of four players from different teams that were in the running for the award. The others were Boston Celtics guard Grant Williams, Los Angeles Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel, and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Paul George.

In 56 games this season, the 35-year-old averaged 29.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, earning him a spot on the All-NBA Team and an All-Star Game invitation for the eighth consecutive year.

The PBWA, on the other hand, highlighted his off-court achievements, such as his involvement with the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, his speech on sports equity given at the White House celebration honoring the Warriors’ NBA championship, and the tenth anniversary of their Christmas with the Currys event.

“Few athletes have as great a reach or as powerful a platform as Steph Curry, and he has used it to the fullest to benefit others,” said Howard Beck, president of the Professional Basketball Writers Association. “He and the other nominees are being saluted by the members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association for their outstanding work.”

The PBWA annually bestows the honor named for the NBA’s second commissioner upon a player, coach, or athletic trainer who has shown outstanding community service. The group, which often acts as the league’s supervisor, consists of around 200 writers and editors.

Since the 2019–20 season, when the pandemic halted award ceremonies in both of those years, no recipient has been revealed until this year. Malcolm Brogdon received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2020 while playing with the Indiana Pacers.