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New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum has been named the winner of the 2023-24 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, as administered and selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA). Named after the NBA’s second commissioner, the honor is presented annually by the PBWA to a player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.

McCollum is being honored for his extensive community work in and around New Orleans, with a focus on education, social justice reform and efforts to provide equitable resources and opportunities for youth.

McCollum was one of five finalists for the award, along with Miami Heat assistant coach Caron Butler, Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. The finalists were chosen by a committee of PBWA members from nominees submitted by NBA teams. The winner was determined by a vote of the entire PBWA, which is composed of more than 200 writers and editors who cover the NBA regularly for newspapers, magazines and online news outlets.

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CJ McCollum’s community impact | 2024 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

“CJ’s passion, generosity and commitment to improving the lives of the youth in his community is truly impressive,” said PBWA President Howard Beck, of The Ringer. “The members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association salute him and all the nominees for their inspiring work.”

In January, McCollum partnered with non-profit College Beyond to launch the McCollum Scholars Program, a needs-based scholarship program that will provide eleven New Orleans students with $100,000 each (a total commitment of $1.1 million) to pursue four-year degrees. As part of the initiative, McCollum Scholars will also be offered academic coaching services, mental-wellness resources, career preparation and internship placement. The program aims to close the education, literacy and racial wealth gaps through access to quality education, and to create a pathway to obtaining a post-secondary degree.

In March, McCollum opened the CJ McCollum Dream Center at the Westbank Boys & Girls Club of Metro Louisiana. The center, which has been transformed into a dynamic hub of innovation and inspiration, is stocked with new laptops and tablets, smart boards, laser printers, a library, virtual reality headsets and a podcast studio. It is the third Dream Center that McCollum has opened, and the first in Louisiana, where he has resided since joining the Pelicans in February 2022. He has described the centers as a beacon of hope and a safe haven where youth can explore, learn and grow.

Last October, in collaboration with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, McCollum visited the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center and Travis Hill School in New Orleans, which is dedicated to rehabilitation and education in the justice system. The visit included an engaging conversation between McCollum and the youth.&nbsp; McCollum’s visit was accompanied by Louisiana State Senator Royce Duplessis, who is a strong advocate for juvenile justice reform.&nbsp;McCollum, Sen. Duplessis and leaders from the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition discussed issues youth are facing in the juvenile justice system and explored collaborative solutions to the ongoing commitment of social justice.

McCollum, who also serves as President of the National Basketball Players Association, averaged 20 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 66 games for the Pelicans this season.

Below is the complete list of winners of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.

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CJ McCollum’s Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights

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CJ McCollum wins 2023-24 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

New Orleans Pelicans center Cody Zeller talks about the importance of mental health and how he keeps relaxed throughout the season during Mental Health Awareness Month.

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Cody Zeller | Mental Health Monday presented by AmeriHealth Caritas

Jim Eichenhofer

Age: 22NBA experience: One season (one with Pelicans)Games played/games started: 67/10Key stats: 7.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 36.6 three-point percentage, 83.8 FT percentage

Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins’ 2023-24 NBA season overview

Several parallels can be drawn between New Orleans recent first-round draft picks Trey Murphy (No. 17 in 2021) and Hawkins (No. 14 in 2023), including that both players needed to earn playing time as rookies, receiving double-digit DNPs. During their minutes on the floor, both displayed significant long-term upside, while also delivering an immediate impact, helping the Pelicans win games despite their first-year status. Murphy made a couple of the most important buckets during the ’22 play-in tournament elimination game victory at the LA Clippers, while Hawkins twice scored 25-plus points in Southwest Division wins over Dallas this season.

Hawkins’ talent and shooting ability are why Pelicans center Larry Nance Jr. projected big things for the UConn product on April 30.

“Jordan Hawkins is going to be an awesome player,” Nance said, while being interviewed for “The Squad” documentary series. “He’s going to be awesome.”

Thinking back to his own experience, Murphy recalled the improvement the forward made during the offseason following his rookie campaign. The Rice and Virginia product then finished seventh in the NBA’s Most Improved Player voting for 2022-23.

“I’m super excited for him,” Murphy said, alluding to Hawkins’ ability to build off of Year 1. “This is the part of the process that is so important. My rookie year I didn’t play as much at first – started to play more at the end. But I used that motivation of not playing to really fuel that summer (of preparation). So I’m just really excited to see what he does when he comes back.”

Hawkins plans to continue to add strength and muscle to his frame, which will make him a tougher defender at the pro level.

“This is a very important summer for me,” Hawkins said in his April 30 exit interview. “I know I need to make that step, make that leap that I know I’m capable of doing.”

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Jordan Hawkins Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights

The Athletic's Will Guillory recaps New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins' 2023-24 NBA season.

Jordan Hawkins' per-game stats from the 2023-24 NBA season

Ranking among all NBA rookies in total three-pointers made (109). Every player ahead of him on that list essentially logged twice as many minutes as Hawkins (Brandon Miller, Keyonte George, Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama). Hawkins played the 21st-most minutes among rookies (1,161).

Ranking among all NBA rookies in free throw percentage (minimum 60 games played). Only Marcus Sasser, Gradey Dick and George were more accurate from the foul line among first-year players. Hawkins shot 14/16 in four meetings with Dallas.

Minutes per game for Hawkins in November, the only full month he averaged more than 20. Amid early-season injuries to backcourt players CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado, Hawkins started eight times among his 16 November appearances.

Jordan Hawkins’ three most notable games

One of the top single-game performances of the entire NBA season from any rookie, he rang up 34 points as the extremely shorthanded Pelicans stunned the Mavericks on the latter’s home floor. Hawkins was 11/19 from the field, including 6/12 on three-pointers. He added five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Guard Jordan Hawkins scored a career high 34 points during the New Orleans Pelicans game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Jan. 13 in American Airlines Center.

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Pelicans Stat Leader Highlights: Jordan Hawkins with career high 34 points vs. Mavericks 1/13/2024

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins' postgame interview after the Pelicans' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Jan. 13 during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Jordan Hawkins talks his performance, chemistry with Valanciunas | Pelicans-Mavericks Postgame Interview 1/13/2024

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado's postgame interview after the Pelicans' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Jan. 13 during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Jose Alvarado on win over Mavericks, Hawkins performance | Pelicans-Mavericks Postgame Interview 1/13/2024

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Postgame wrap: Pelicans 118, Mavericks 108

The Pelicans’ first-ever In-Season Tournament victory was spearheaded by hot shooting from their lottery pick in the Smoothie King Center. Hawkins came off the bench firing, finishing with 25 points, highlighted by 5/12 three-point shooting.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins scores 25 points in the team's In-Season Tournament win against the Dallas Mavericks.

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Highlights: Jordan Hawkins racks up 25 Points vs. Dallas Mavericks 11/14/23

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins' postgame interview after the Pelicans' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, Nov. 14 during the 2023-24 NBA season.

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Jordan Hawkins on bounceback win vs. Mavs, shooting confidence | Pelicans-Mavericks Postgame Interview 11/14/23

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Photos: Pelicans vs Mavericks | Game Action 11/14/2023

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NBA In-Season Tournament postgame wrap: Pelicans 131, Mavericks 110

Hawkins served notice by tallying 31 points and lighting up Ball Arena with seven three-point buckets in 14 attempts. In only his seventh NBA game, he scored 16 points in the opening half, then tacked on 15 more after intermission, but the defending NBA champions came back from a double-digit deficit.

Guard Jordan Hawkins scored a career-high 31 points on 10-of-19 (.526) shooting from the field including 7-of-14 from three-point range. Hawkins also tallied seven rebounds during the New Orleans Pelicans game against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 6 in Ball Arena.

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Pelicans Stat Leader Highlights: Jordan Hawkins with 31 points vs Denver Nuggets

Pelicans Guard Jordan Hawkins scored 16 points on 6-of-10 (.600) shooting from the field in the first half during the New Orleans Pelicans game against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 6 in Ball Arena.

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Jordan Hawkins scores 16 in first half | Pelicans at Nuggets 11/6/2023

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Postgame wrap: Nuggets 134, Pelicans 116

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Photos: Pelicans at Nuggets | Game Action 11/6/2023

Jordan Hawkins’ player participation report

His role fluctuated throughout the season, very dependent on the availability of some of the team’s numerous veteran guards and wings. After playing in every game through early December, he began receiving sporadic DNPs, though he did have a stretch from New Year’s Eve through Feb. 10 of playing in 21 consecutive games. However, some of his games-played total was inflated by New Orleans being part of so many blowouts (he logged single-digit minutes in six separate games that were decided by 20-plus points).

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Jordan Hawkins | 2023-24 NBA Season in Review

On the latest New Orleans Pelicans Podcast from Monday, May 20, 2024, Jim Eichenhofer and Gus Kattengell are joined by The Athletic's Will Guillory to discuss Jordan Hawkins' 2023-2024 NBA season as we wrap up this year's Pelicans roster season recaps.

LISTEN ABOVE OR CLICK HERE FOR FULL PODCAST >>

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Jordan Hawkins' 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Dyson Daniels' 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Naji Marshall's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Jose Alvarado's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Larry Nance Jr.'s 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Trey Murphy III 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Jonas Valanciunas’ 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Herb Jones’ 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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CJ McCollum’s 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Brandon Ingram's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Zion Williamson's 2023-24 NBA season recap | Pelicans Podcast

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Pelicans Season Recap, NBA Playoffs vs. OKC Thunder | Pelicans Podcast

Pelicans Podcast

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Photos: Jordan Hawkins 2023‑24 Season in Review

Check out highlights of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins' top plays of the 2023-24 NBA season! Part of our Pelicans 2023-24 NBA season player recaps.

The New Orleans Pelicans visited Slidell Jr. High School on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 to surprise Coach Shannon Badon and name her the 2024 Jr. Pelicans Scholastic Coach of the Year

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Recap: New Orleans Pelicans award 2024 Jr. Pelicans Scholastic Coach of the Year

Pelicans Early Bird Senior Dancer Mitzi talks about how he stays active and her 17-year tenure on the team for Get Fit Friday presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.

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Pelicans Early Bird Senior Dancer Profile with Mitzi | Get Fit Friday

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