Gary Payton II wins inaugural Bob Lanier Community Assist Award

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has been awarded the first-ever Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, the NBA announced Tuesday. Payton was voted by fans and an NBA executive panel, the league announced.

In its statement, the NBA highlighted Payton's community service efforts and initiatives to support youths with learning disabilities. Part of those initiatives included founding the GPII Foundation, which serves those with dyslexia and provides funding for educators to become certified in services and support for young students with learning disabilities.

Payton, who is dyslexic himself, led a rally at San Francisco Town Hall for the cause earlier this year and also hosted a Reading Rally with Decoding Dyslexia. Payton's GPII Foundation will receive $75,000 from the NBA and Kaiser Permanente for his community involvement.

Prior to this season, the award was known as the Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award. Lanier, who died on May 10, played 14 years in the NBA and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. He received multiple humanitarian awards both during and after his career and served as ambassador for NBA Cares, the league's global social responsibility initiative.

For more on Payton II's win, read this guest essay from his mother, Monique.

(Photo: Jed Jacobsohn / NBAE via Getty Images)

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