J.J. Barea has won the 2017-18 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, as administered and selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association. Named after the NBA’s second commissioner, the honor is presented annually by the PBWA to a player, coach, or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.
According to the PBWA release, “Barea is being honored for his swift and sustained response to disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.” For the entire release, click here.
Barea and his foundation provided more than 100,000 pounds of supplies, personally raised nearly $500,000 and another $270,000 through a YouCaring campaign, and worked with the Mavericks to donate 100 percent of single-game ticket sales from their Oct.