J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award History
The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award recognizes an
NBA player, coach or athletic trainer who demonstrates outstanding
service and dedication to the community.
The award is named after J. Walter Kennedy, who served
as the NBA's second commissioner. The honor has traditionally been
administered and selected by the
Professional Basketball Writers Association.
Wes Unseld of Washington received the first award in
1974-75. Over the years, recipients have included Hall of Fame players,
coaches and other prominent NBA figures recognized for their charitable
and community work.
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Winners
| Season |
Winner |
Team |
| 2025-26 |
No award announced |
— |
| 2024-25 |
No award announced |
— |
| 2023-24 |
CJ McCollum |
New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2022-23 |
Stephen Curry |
Golden State Warriors |
| 2021-22 |
No award |
— |
| 2020-21 |
No award |
— |
| 2019-20 |
Malcolm Brogdon |
Indiana Pacers |
| 2018-19 |
Damian Lillard |
Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2017-18 |
J.J. Barea |
Dallas Mavericks |
| 2016-17 |
LeBron James |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2015-16 |
Wayne Ellington |
Brooklyn Nets |
| 2014-15 |
Joakim Noah |
Chicago Bulls |
| 2013-14 |
Luol Deng |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2012-13 |
Kenneth Faried |
Denver Nuggets |
| 2011-12 |
Pau Gasol |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2010-11 |
Metta World Peace |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2009-10 |
Samuel Dalembert |
Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2008-09 |
Dikembe Mutombo |
Houston Rockets |
| 2007-08 |
Chauncey Billups |
Detroit Pistons |
| 2006-07 |
Steve Nash |
Phoenix Suns |
| 2005-06 |
Kevin Garnett |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2004-05 |
Eric Snow |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2003-04 |
Reggie Miller |
Indiana Pacers |
| 2002-03 |
David Robinson |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 2001-02 |
Alonzo Mourning |
Miami Heat |
| 2000-01 |
Dikembe Mutombo |
Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1999-00 |
Vlade Divac |
Sacramento Kings |
| 1998-99 |
Brian Grant |
Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1997-98 |
Steve Smith |
Atlanta Hawks |
| 1996-97 |
P.J. Brown |
Miami Heat |
| 1995-96 |
Chris Dudley |
Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1994-95 |
Joe O'Toole |
Atlanta Hawks |
| 1993-94 |
Joe Dumars |
Detroit Pistons |
| 1992-93 |
Terry Porter |
Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1991-92 |
Magic Johnson |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1990-91 |
Kevin Johnson |
Phoenix Suns |
| 1989-90 |
Doc Rivers |
Atlanta Hawks |
| 1988-89 |
Thurl Bailey |
Utah Jazz |
| 1987-88 |
Alex English |
Denver Nuggets |
| 1986-87 |
Isiah Thomas |
Detroit Pistons |
| 1985-86 |
Michael Cooper |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1985-86 |
Rory Sparrow |
New York Knicks |
| 1984-85 |
Dan Issel |
Denver Nuggets |
| 1983-84 |
Frank Layden |
Utah Jazz |
| 1982-83 |
Julius Erving |
Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1981-82 |
Kent Benson |
Detroit Pistons |
| 1980-81 |
Mike Glenn |
New York Knicks |
| 1979-80 |
Austin Carr |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1978-79 |
Calvin Murphy |
Houston Rockets |
| 1977-78 |
Bob Lanier |
Detroit Pistons |
| 1976-77 |
Dave Bing |
Washington Bullets |
| 1975-76 |
Slick Watts |
Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1974-75 |
Wes Unseld |
Washington Bullets |
Citizenship Award Facts
-
Wes Unseld was the first recipient of the J. Walter
Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1974-75.
-
The award is named for J. Walter Kennedy, the NBA's
second commissioner.
-
The award may be presented to an NBA player, coach or athletic
trainer for outstanding service and dedication to the
community.
-
Michael Cooper and Rory Sparrow
shared the award in 1985-86.
-
Dikembe Mutombo won the award twice, with Philadelphia
in 2000-01 and Houston in 2008-09.
-
Frank Layden won the honor while serving as head coach
of the Utah Jazz in 1983-84.
-
Joe O'Toole, an athletic trainer with the Atlanta
Hawks, received the award in 1994-95.
-
No award was presented in either 2020-21 or 2021-22.
-
Stephen Curry won in 2022-23, followed by
CJ McCollum of New Orleans in 2023-24.
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