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In case you missed it yesterday, Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony was named the Blazers’ Maurice Lucas Award winner for the 2019-20 season.
Congrats to @carmeloanthony, winner of this year's Maurice Lucas Award!
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 14, 2020
In recognition of the award, we are making a $5,000 donation to the @Socialchangefnd, an organization selected by Melo.
Learn more: https://t.co/PLI59oweTd pic.twitter.com/YMrg3KumrJ
The annual award was created in 2010-11 to in memory of Lucas. It honors the player who best represents Lucas’ contributions on the court and in the community, as well as in support of his teammates and the organization.
Per a Trail Blazers press release, Anthony said it meant a lot for him to win an award inspired by such a great person.
“I’m a student of the game so I know how great of a player Maurice Lucas was, all of his achievements and what he did to accomplish in the community and what he was able to stand for,” Anthony said.
Lucas’ widow Pam said her husband would have had great respect for Anthony and was proud that the 36-year-old was continuing his legacy.
“Carmelo is blazing a new path with his platform for social justice as the generational challenges and struggles continue,” Mrs Lucas said.
As so did Maurice, Carmelo stands for what is right as he serves his teammates and community. It gives me great pleasure to add Carmelo’s name to Maurice’s Legacy.”
Blazers President and CEO Chris McGowan said Anthony was an authentic leader both on and off the court.
“His experience, knowledge, leadership and authenticity have been the perfect addition to the Trail Blazers and the city of Portland,” McGowan said.
In recognition of the award, the Trail Blazers will make a $5,000 donation to Anthony’s own charitable organization, the Social Change Fund.
Anthony has worked tirelessly for social justice in recent years. He joined the Blazers last November.
Maurice Lucas passed away in October 2010 at the age of 58. “The Enforcer” was a central figure on the Trail Blazers 1976-77 NBA Championship team with his number 20 jersey being retired in November 1988.
Previous recipients of the award include Jusuf Nurkic, Evan Turner, Al-Farouq Aminu, Ed Davis, LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez, Damian Lillard, and Wesley Matthews.
For more information on the Social Change Fund go to thesocialchangefund.org.