The 2023-24 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award has been awarded to C.J. McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans, in recognition of his exceptional dedication and service to the community. Presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA), this prestigious award is given to a player, coach, or athletic trainer who demonstrates outstanding commitment to community service.
At 32 years old, C.J. McCollum has been recognized for his remarkable work in and around New Orleans, with a strong focus on initiatives related to education, social justice reform, and providing equitable resources and opportunities for youth. His efforts have left a lasting impact, particularly in the areas of education, literacy, and racial wealth gaps through access to quality education.
One of the standout initiatives is the launch of the McCollum Scholars program in partnership with the nonprofit organization CollegeBeyond. This needs-based scholarship will support eleven New Orleans students with $100,000 each, totaling a commitment of $1.1 million to pursue four-year degrees. Additionally, the program offers academic coaching services, mental wellness resources, career preparation, and internship placement, further reflecting McCollum’s dedication to empowering youth through education.
Moreover, McCollum has demonstrated his commitment by establishing the CJ McCollum Dream Center at the Westbank Boys and Girls Club of Metro Louisiana. Described as “a dynamic hub of innovation and inspiration,” this Center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including laptops, tablets, smart boards, library resources, virtual reality headsets and a podcast studio. As the first Dream Center in Louisiana, it serves as a beacon of hope and a safe haven for the youth, providing them with opportunities to explore, learn, and grow.
In addition to these initiatives, McCollum has made meaningful contributions in collaboration with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. His visit to the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center and Travis Hill School offered inspiration and support to students aged 13 to 18, emphasizing the importance of education and resilience. These efforts reflect McCollum’s unwavering commitment to creating positive change and opportunities for those in need.
As the president of the National Basketball Players Association, C.J. McCollum has not only made a significant impact in the community but has also maintained a strong on-court performance. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 66 games for the Pelicans, showcasing his dedication to both the sport and the community. His remarkable achievements and contributions have truly made a difference, and he stands as an inspiring example of dedication and service within the NBA community.
Below is the complete list of winners of the J. Walter KennedyCitizenship Award.
| SEASON | PLAYER | TEAM |
| 1974-75 | Wes Unseld | Washington |
| 1975-76 | Slick Watts | Seattle |
| 1976-77 | Dave Bing | Washington |
| 1977-78 | Bob Lanier | Detroit |
| 1978-79 | Calvin Murphy | Houston |
| 1979-80 | Austin Carr | Cleveland |
| 1980-81 | Mike Glenn | New York |
| 1981-82 | Kent Benson | Detroit |
| 1982-83 | Julius Erving | Philadelphia |
| 1983-84 | Frank Layden | Utah |
| 1984-85 | Dan Issel | Denver |
| 1985-86 | Michael Cooper (tie) | L.A. Lakers |
| 1985-86 | Rory Sparrow (tie) | New York |
| 1986-87 | Isiah Thomas | Detroit |
| 1987-88 | Alex English | Denver |
| 1988-89 | Thurl Bailey | Utah |
| 1989-90 | Doc Rivers | Atlanta |
| 1990-91 | Kevin Johnson | Phoenix |
| 1991-92 | Magic Johnson | L.A. Lakers |
| 1992-93 | Terry Porter | Portland |
| 1993-94 | Joe Dumars | Detroit |
| 1994-95 | Joe O’Toole | Atlanta |
| 1995-96 | Chris Dudley | Portland |
| 1996-97 | P.J. Brown | Miami |
| 1997-98 | Steve Smith | Atlanta |
| 1998-99 | Brian Grant | Portland |
| 1999-00 | Vlade Divac | Sacramento |
| 2000-01 | Dikembe Mutombo | Philadelphia |
| 2001-02 | Alonzo Mourning | Miami |
| 2002-03 | David Robinson | San Antonio |
| 2003-04 | Reggie Miller | Indiana |
| 2004-05 | Eric Snow | Cleveland |
| 2005-06 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota |
| 2006-07 | Steve Nash | Phoenix |
| 2007-08 | Chauncey Billups | Detroit |
| 2008-09 | Dikembe Mutombo | Houston |
| 2009-10 | Samuel Dalembert | Philadelphia |
| 2010-11 | Metta Sandiford-Artest | L.A. Lakers |
| 2011-12 | Pau Gasol | L.A. Lakers |
| 2012-13 | Kenneth Faried | Denver |
| 2013-14 | Luol Deng | Cleveland |
| 2014-15 | Joakim Noah | Chicago |
| 2015-16 | Wayne Ellington | Brooklyn |
| 2016-17 | LeBron James | Cleveland |
| 2017-18 | J.J. Barea | Dallas |
| 2018-19 | Damian Lillard | Portland |
| 2019-20 | Malcolm Brogdon | Indiana |
| 2020-21 | NA – Pandemic | – |
| 2021-22 | NA – Pandemic | – |
| 2022-23 | Stephen Curry | Golden State |
| 2023-24 | C.J. McCollum | New Orleans |
World of sports 
Leave a comment