NEW YORK - Los Angeles Lakers star Ron Artest has been selected for the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
The award, announced Tuesday, is named for the former NBA commissioner and honours a player or coach for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Artest was picked for his attempts to promote mental health awareness. His efforts include fundraising, appearing before Congress to support the Mental Health in Schools Act, and his overall advocacy of the issue. He also raffled off his 2010 NBA championship ring, raising more than US$650,000.
Other finalists for this year's award were Portland's Marcus Camby, Orlando's Dwight Howard and Chicago's Kyle Korver.
