The Mannie Jackson - Basketball's Human Spirit Award
The award is given annually to an individual who has found the game of basketball to be a contributing aspect to their personal growth and accomplishment, a place to develop an understanding of others, and an avenue that helped shape that individual's growth into a recognized visionary and leader.
Jackson Award recipients embrace the core values of the game: hard-work, striving to improve and a commitment to others. Beyond the game they reflect the values of Mannie Jackson's life-long mission to overcome obstacles; challenge the status quo, take responsibility for his or her actions while seeking the highest standard of excellence. It's a commitment that transcends personal reward and constantly challenges the human spirit.
In their community, this person is a recognized leader and catalyst for change. Ultimately, they are singular individuals who lead by example, demonstrating a philosophy of respectfulness, teamwork, commitment, and human compassion in all aspects of their lives.
2011 Award Winners
Representing the Professional game:
Chauncey Billups, New York Knicks Guard – Known as one of the NBA’s true community leaders, Billups has routinely left his mark in a number of cities where he played professionally. In 2006, the five-time NBA all-star began his involvement in the Porter/Billups Leadership Academy with Regis University in Denver by pledging $100,000 to the program which helps selected youngsters with life/educational goals and provides help with college tuition to attend Regis. He also continues to be affiliated with The Children’s Center, a charity that has helped enrich the lives of Detroit area youth since 1929 and served as the celebrity host of its Annual Celebrity Golf Classic.
Representing the Amateur ranks:
The V Foundation, Charitable Organization – The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary basketball coach at North Carolina State. During the past 18 years, it has raised more than $100 million and awarded cancer research grants in 38 states and the District of Columbia, with an astounding 100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net event proceeds to cancer research and related programs. The Award also recognizes the countless collegiate coaches and others in the game that annually make the V Foundation their priority charity as they assist in fighting cancer in their own communities.
Representing the Grassroots ranks:
Dr. John 
2010 Award Winners
Representing the Professional ranks:
Samuel Dalembert, Sacramento Kings center – A UNICEF national ambassador for Haiti who donated more than $125,000 to assist earthquake relief efforts in his homeland. In 2007, he started the Samuel Dalembert Foundation to help better the lives of people in Haiti. Dalembert, recently traded to Sacramento from the Philadelphia 76ers, was an active participant in NBA Cares activities while with the Sixers and he frequently participated in the Basketball without Borders program.
Representing the Amateur ranks:
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University head coach – A member of the Coaches vs. Cancer Council who has helped raise $2.9 million over the past nine years by conducting the annual “Basket Ball” Gala in Syracuse. Overall, he helped raise more than $4.5 million for the American Cancer Society. Boeheim volunteers his time and services to charitable organizations, including Crouse Hospital’s Kienzle Family Maternity Center, the Children’s Miracle Network, the Eldercare Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics.
Representing the Grassroots ranks:
Alfreda Harris – Founded the SAT Preparation Program serving high school students in Boston while founding and coordinating girls’ basketball leagues and AAU teams for the city. Harris also founded the Owen Wells Fitness Center and the Reebok Educational Athletic Partnership that provides students with community programs in social development, computer skills and tutoring. Serves as a Board member for the Shelbourne, Mass. Community Council, Boston Neighborhood Basketball League and the Police Athletic League.
2009 Award Winners
Ken Hudson, the former Vice President Marketing Development and Director of Community Relations for the Coca-Cola Company, became the first person of color to referee a city high school basketball championship (1967) and later became a pioneering NBA referee, officiating in the league from 1968 to 1972 as one of the league’s earliest African-American game officials. He developed several Boston-area youth basketball programs and was named to the Board of Directors of multiple companies, including Coca-Cola’s New England Board of Directors. He is currently an observer of officials for the NBA.
Bob Lanier, a 14-year standout in the National Basketball Association, was an eight-time NBA All-Star following his All-American career at St. Bonaventure. Lanier, the Most Valuable Player of the 1974 NBA All-Star Game, played just over nine seasons in Detroit and four seasons in Milwaukee. He received numerous community service honors, including the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1978. From 1989 to 2005, Lanier chaired the NBA’s “Stay in School” program, NBA TeamUp Program and the league’s “Read to Achieve” initiative. From 2005-to the present day, Lanier remains as the NBA Cares Global Ambassador and has earned numerous awards from the United States Congress to the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy award, dedicated to the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2007.
Alonzo Mourning, a 15-year NBA veteran who earned a league championship ring in 2006 as a member of the Miami Heat, has made as much of an impact off the court as he did when he played on the court in the NBA and as a member of the famed Georgetown Hoyas where he earned three-time NCAA All-American honors. Mourning contributed to gold medal-winning efforts by USA Basketball at the 1994 World Championship in Toronto and the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney.
Mourning was diagnosed with a kidney disorder following the 2000 Olympics and was sidelined (2002-03) after he received a kidney transplant. All the while, Mourning ran off-season community relations programs such as “Zo’s Summer Groove” and “Zo’s Fund for Life” where he’s raised over $6 million dollars via the Alonzo Mourning Charities program. After the kidney transplant, the 2006 NBA title and his recent retirement from pro basketball, Mourning continued to be very active in the community and currently serves as a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
2008 Award Winners
Sonny Hill has dedicated his life to youth basketball in the city of Philadelphia. For nearly 40 years, his leagues have been an outlet for inner city basketball in Philadelphia where he serves as an influential leader within the community. In 1968, Hill founded the "Sonny Hill Community Involvement League" which continues to provide youth with discipline, guidance and direction. The league runs each year with divisions ranging from middle school through adult divisions. He has received an honorary doctorate from Temple University and was named one of the 100 "Most Influential Minorities in Sports" by Sports Illustrated. Hill has also served as an executive advisor for Peter Luukko, President and CEO of the Wachovia Complex and worked television broadcasts for the 76ers in the 1970's. His leagues have provided thousands of kids an opportunity and his dedication and tireless efforts have led to Philadelphia becoming one of the best basketball cities in the country.
David Robinson, who played his college basketball at the Naval Academy and his entire NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, has had incredible success on the court with his two NBA Championships and 10 All-Star game appearances. Off the court, he has been a strong community resource for the city of San Antonio and the youth. He has founded and donated more than $9 million for the Carver Academy, a school in San Antonio as well as funded scholarship opportunities for youth that graduated high school. In addition, he annually donated 10% of his income to the "David Robinson Foundation" which supported two major projects; the "Ruth Project" which provided diapers and baby supplies to parents with need and to "Feed my Sheep" which offered food for the hungry. Robinson received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA in 2003 and was the first athlete to receive the "Montblanc de la Culture Award."
2007 Award Winner
Dikembe Mutombo is a graduate of Georgetown University and a current NBA star who has recorded more than 3,000 career blocks. Of the court, Mutombo has given his time and himself to various causes including the United Nations Development Program. He has opened the Biama Mutombo 300 bed teaching hospital in Zaire, and established the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation for helping youth. Mutombo has also worked with NBA Basketball without Borders. He has received the Essence Magazine Achiever Award for philanthropic work and the Presidential Service Award for his work and contributions.