PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Cam Payne named finalist for NBA’s Community Assist Award

May 10, 2023, 8:00 PM

Cameron Payne #15 of the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on April 06, 2022 in...

Cameron Payne #15 of the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on April 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns guard Cam Payne is one of 10 finalists for the NBA’s Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, which recognizes a player’s efforts to make a positive impact off the court.

Payne made the cut after winning the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for the month of December.

The other finalists are Chicago’s Alex Caruso, Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez, Dallas’ Dwight Powell, Philadelphia’s James Harden, New York’s Julius Randle, San Antonio’s Keita Bates-Diop, Boston’s Marcus Smart, Milwaukee’s Pat Connaughton and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey.

The winner will be determined by an online fan vote and an NBA executive panel.

Payne was recognized this season for his work over the course of the NBA Cares’ “Season of Giving.” He hosted his second annual “Cam Payne’s 15 families of Christmas” event in which he provided dinner and gifts from the wish lists of 15 families from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

He also gave $250 gift cards to Fry’s Food Stores for each family that participated.

Payne also took 20 kids from Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Solano’s No Limit Hoops on a shopping trip to Target.

His holiday season continued with a $10,000 donation to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis — his hometown — on Dec. 26.

Payne previously served Thanksgiving dinner to 50 mentors and mentees from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona at Footprint Center.

Fans can vote until May 21 at 8:59 p.m.

A $25,000 donation will be made by the NBA on the winning player’s behalf to an organization of his choosing.

Payne is in contention to become the second Suns player to win the annual award in three seasons after Devin Booker did so in 2020-21.

character counts

Character Counts is a registered trademark of the Josephson Institute.

Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dives for the ball against Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles ...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns exit in-season tournament in controversial fashion vs. Lakers

The Phoenix Suns sure made the NBA In-Season Tournament eventful, giving it its first controversy in a loss to the Lakers.

6 hours ago

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against the Phoenix Suns in the first half ...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns eliminated from NBA In-Season Tournament by Lakers

The Phoenix Suns were eliminated from the NBA In-Season Tournament on Tuesday, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers.

7 hours ago

Eric Gordon, Phoenix Suns...

Damon Allred

Suns’ Eric Gordon expected to play in NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinal vs. Lakers

Phoenix Suns guard Eric Gordon (knee) is expected to play in the team's quarterfinal matchup in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Tuesday.

11 hours ago

Nassir Little, Phoenix Suns...

Kevin Zimmerman

Suns’ Nassir Little barely made his daughter’s birth after flight from New York

The last three months jostled Nassir Little's life. The Phoenix Suns forward and new father got thrown into the Damian Lillard trade.

14 hours ago

Kevin Durant in Suns-Lakers...

Arizona Sports

NBA In-Season Tournament schedule, bracket: Suns get Lakers in quarters

Here's a schedule of the Phoenix Suns' path in the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament and a bracket of the teams that made it.

1 day ago

Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans...

Damon Allred

Pelicans top Kings, clinch first West spot in NBA In-Season Tournament semis

The Pelicans punched their ticket to Las Vegas for the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals and await the winner of Suns-Lakers.

1 day ago

Suns’ Cam Payne named finalist for NBA’s Community Assist Award