The NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton has been named the November recipient of the Bob Lanier Community Assist Award. Ayton is recognized for his outstanding philanthropic efforts supporting youth and families across the Bahamas, Jamaica and Los Angeles through the Ayton Family Foundation (AFF), which was founded in 2019. Together, the NBA and NBPA Foundation will donate $20,000 to the Ayton Family Foundation to continue its impactful community initiatives.
Over the past several months, Ayton has launched multiple community investments in St. Elizabeth Parish, his mother’s hometown, to support local families rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. In July 2025, AFF revitalized the Cedar Spring Community Center, providing residents with access to food, school supplies, games and health services. To celebrate the reopening, Ayton and AFF hosted more than 100 children and families from surrounding areas, reinforcing the Foundation’s mission to support underserved populations with dignity and lasting impact. Additionally, Ayton and the Foundation committed $100,000 toward immediate hurricane relief and long-term rebuilding efforts, delivering essential supplies to families affected by flooding, roof collapses and infrastructure damage. Ayton and AFF plan to continue supporting rebuilding projects across St. Elizabeth Parish in 2026.
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“My family taught me that feeding people is love, and that’s exactly what the Foundation represents,” said Ayton. “We honor our roots by giving back, creating access and building a stronger future for the communities that made us who we are.”
In Los Angeles, the Ayton Family Foundation launched the Ayton Ally-Oop Program to provide youth across the city access to live sports experiences, prioritizing organizations that serve underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities. A central pillar of this year’s effort is the Foundation’s partnership with SüprMarkt LA, a Black-led food justice organization working to address food insecurity in South Los Angeles.
The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years. He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity. The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, which recognizes the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their communities throughout the NBA season. The NBA and the NBPA Foundation also make a donation to the charity or foundation of the player’s choice. To learn more, please visit communityassist.nba.com.
