ORLANDO, Fla. – On Friday, Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony was recognized by the NBA as the winner of the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for October.
The award comes in recognition of Anthony’s work supporting youth health and wellness by hosting a financial literacy workshop, fundraising events and youth basketball clinics.
Prior to the Magic’s 98-86 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night, Anthony was presented with the David Robinson Trophy by president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and CEO Alex Martins.
The NBA also donated $10,000 to Anthony’s 50 Ways Foundation.
community first
Congratulations @The_ColeAnthony pic.twitter.com/pd9NCGXcH0
— Orlando Magie (@OrlandoMagic) November 15, 2024
In October, Anthony held his fifth annual charity weekend in Harlem, in his hometown of New York, of course. As part of the weekend, Anthony held his second “The Playbook” event, bringing together some of New York City’s top high school basketball players for a workshop focused on building financial literacy.
He also hosted a free basketball clinic for local youth, donated more than 500 backpacks of school supplies for children and held a charity Pro-Am game in Harlem that weekend.
The Magic hosted their annual Pick, Read and Roll event with children from surrounding OCPS schools. And over the summer, Anthony participated in two separate back-to-school events in and around Orlando.
“It’s been a constant for him,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said Friday. “It speaks to his character, it speaks to his care. It speaks to exactly what we’re talking about when you’re with the Orlando Magic. It’s more than the basketball court. It’s off the field and how you take care of the people around you and the community around you.”
“It’s an honor to be selected,” Anthony said Friday. “This is a big league. We have a lot of guys with a lot of money making a big impact in a lot of different places… Just try to keep up the good work.
“It’s something for me that I’m obviously very passionate about, my 50 Ways Foundation,” Anthony continued. “I’m extremely grateful to be in a position where I can help people, reach out, where I can just try to give back to the community. I try not to abuse that power and just, at all times, help out…Especially here in Orlando, man. You guys have done a great job of being so welcoming and accepting since I’ve been here.”
To follow ‘Orlando Magic on SI‘ on Facebook and like our page. Follow Magic beat reporter Mason Williams on Twitter/X @mvsonwilliams. Also bookmark our homepage so you never miss a story again.