The NBA announced Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine was named the April NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner by Kaiser Permanente for the work he did with the Metro Deaf School in St. Paul.
Even before he donated $10,000 for a new kitchen at the school, LaVine visited the students throughout the season. But his interest in helping the deaf goes back much further.
LaVine took American Sign Language in high school and thought the Metro Deaf School would be a perfect fit.
“After learning ASL, I realized that I had a unique opportunity to impact the lives of those in the deaf community,” said LaVine in a statement distributed through the Timberwolves. “It’s been great coming to the Metro Deaf School and being able to connect with all the kids, and help build their confidence.”
RT to support @ZachLaVine and his work in the community #MondayMotivation #NBACommunityAssist #ZachLaVinehttps://t.co/TZaw0IYe2T
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 9, 2016
Before the new kitchen, BDA Sports Management notes the school had to rely on catered meals because it didn’t have a working kitchen.
Winners of the Community Assist Award are also able to donate $10,000 to a charity of their choice. LaVine chose the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund. He is also now eligible to win the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for the entire season.
His competition for the award will be Carmelo Anthony, Mike Conley, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Victor Oladipo, John Wall, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Damian Lillard.
