SAN ANTONIO – The NBA is honoring Spurs guard Patty Mills for his work with Indigenous youngsters in his native country.
Mills, who has worked tirelessly to “empower Indigenous young people and advance social justice in Australia,” received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for February presented by Kaiser Permanente, the league announced Wednesday.
The award recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities, according to a press release. It also honors the standard set by Spurs great David Robinson, who improved the community “piece by piece.”
Mills last month, under the umbrella of his Indigenous Basketball Australia, unveiled the Indigeneous Community Basketball League for Aboriginal Australians age 14 and under in eight locations across Australia. He also partnered with the NBA and the Jr. NBA to announce the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament in Queensland next month to provide additional on- and off-court development opportunities for 48 boys and girls.
Both endeavors are designed to “preserve and celebrate Indigeneous cultural practices, focus on basketball development and life skills education, including mental and physical well-being, as well as strengthening individual identity at a critical age,” per the press release.
“Basketball as a sport has brought me happiness, joy, education and a real sense of purpose,” Mills said. “However, not everyone has had the same opportunities as I have, which is why I’m so dedicated to using my platforms, my profile and my voice to develop innovative programs like IBA, which allow my people to really own their story.”
Mills was presented with the award during a virtual ceremony hosted by the league, Kaiser Permanent and Spurs officials last week. He will also be recognized during the team’s home game Wednesday night against the Kings at the AT&T Center.
The NBA and Kaiser Permanente will donate $10,000 on behalf of Mills to Indigenous Basketball Australia.