Warriors guard Klay Thompson is a finalist for NBA Cares Award

Byby Elissa Harrington KGO logo

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Warriors guard Klay Thompson finalist for NBA Cares Award

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson isn't just good on the court, he's good in the community as well. That's why he's been named a finalist by the NBA for the 2014-2015 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, the Golden State Warriors made a big announcement. It highlighted the fact that guard Klay Thompson isn't just good on the court, he's good in the community as well.

Thompson hit shot after shot during pregame practice as sports reporters clamored for insight into Monday night's playoff tame. But the shyer half of the Splash Brothers duo is actually making big waves off the court.

"He's been blessed with two things -- one he's a great shooter and two he really wants to help kids," said Larry Harper with the Good Tidings Foundation.

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Because of Thompson's philanthropic and charitable work, the team announced that he was named a finalist by the NBA for the 2014-2015 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award, in recognition for his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work.

"Oh it's awesome," Thompson said. "I think we're in such a unique position as NBA players to give back and be a role model."

Thompson partners with the Good Tidings Foundation, which supports arts, education, and athletics for underserved youth.

"He's just got that natural chemistry," said Harper. "We've just done so many programs with him where he's with the kids. He's so comfortable being with kids, probably more so than with adults."

Thompson added, "They are always hands on and it's always fun working with kids."

Fans can vote for their favorite players on social media from April 20 through April 27.

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If Thompson wins, $25,000 goes to Good Tidings.

"The success on the field or court goes hand and hand with community service," Harper said. "I mean, you see that a lot."

Harper says they'd put the funds towards a new basketball court in Oakland or San Francisco, which means the community could be winning right alongside Thompson and the team.

"It's always fun to interact with Warrior fans and just people of the Bay Area," Thompson said. "Cause they are truly nice people and genuine. They really do love their hoops."

Fans can vote for Thompson on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook by doing one of the following:

Twitter: Tweet a comment using #NBACommunityAssist and Klay Thompson's first and last name. Retweets are also counted as votes.

Instagram: Post a photo using #NBACommunityAssist, including Klay Thompson's first and last name in the photo description. Only unique posts are counted as votes.

Facebook: Post using #NBACommunityAssist, including Klay Thompson's first and last name on one of the NBA's accounts' walls or respond/comment to a post from an NBA account using #NBACommunityAssist, with Klay Thompson's first and last name in the comment.

Click here for the Golden State Warriors 2015 playoffs schedule. And click here for full coverage on the Warriors.