(Scott Cunningham/NBAE/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Hawks honored forward Paul Millsap with the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy before tonight’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. The club annually bestows the award upon the player who most closely exemplifies the characteristics of a community ambassador displayed by Collier, the late Hawks center who passed away in 2005.
Millsap’s 2016-17 season community involvement tipped off with a school-wide donation of backpacks and supplies to Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy in August.
The 11-year veteran provided a year’s worth of items for nearly 600 students at Hollis, a STEM school which opened on Atlanta’s Westside in 2016. Millsap returned to the school in December to deliver educationally-themed holiday presents and offered encouraging words about perseverance to high-achieving students known as “Hollis Heroes.” The four-time NBA All Star also led more than 50 elementary students through basketball and agility drills during a physical education class takeover.
The 6’8 forward offers year-round charitable assistance through the Paul Millsap Foundation. The foundation, which focuses on youth in the areas of education and athletics, provides a significant number of scholarships each year. A native Louisianan, Millsap returned to his home state for All-Star Weekend 2017 and assisted with building a KaBOOM! playground at a local elementary school during the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service.
This is the 12th year the Hawks have awarded the trophy. Past recipients include: Josh Childress (2005-06 and 2006-07), Marvin Williams (2007-08 and 2010-11), Al Horford (2008-09), Josh Smith (2009-10), Zaza Pachulia (2011-12), Devin Harris (2012-13), Kyle Korver (2013-14), DeMarre Carroll (2014-15) and Mike Muscala (2015-16).
The Atlanta Hawks are back in action tonight in Indiana against the Indiana Pacers in their final regular game of the 2016-17 NBA season. The 5th seeded Atlanta Hawks will face the Washington Wizards in the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs beginning this weekend. Stay tuned to HHS1987.com. Follow @eldorado2452 on Twitter and Instagram for all your Atlanta Hawks, NBA and sports news.
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