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Model citizen Portland's Grant earns NBA's J. Walter Kennedy award Click here for more on this story Posted: Thursday May 27, 1999 09:20 PM   Grant has done many things for the community, including running a free basketball clinic last summer. AP PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland Trail Blazers forward Brian Grant was named the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner on Thursday for his community service and charity work. Grant won by vote of the Professional Basketball Writers Association. Other finalists were Atlanta center Dikembe Mutombo and Detroit forward Jerome Williams. Grant, 27, is in his second season with the Trail Blazers and fifth in the NBA. He averaged 11.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in 48 games this season. Grant has provided meals to the homeless and bought Christmas presents for underprivileged children. He also has 25 seats for kids at each home game, and ran a free basketball clinic last summer. Grant also wears the word "Dash" on his basketball shoes, in memory of Dash Thomas, a 12-year-old boy with brain cancer whom Grant befriended last fall. Thomas died Feb. 2. The J. Walter Kennedy Award is named for the late NBA commissioner who held the job from 1963-75. Wes Unseld won the first award in 1975, and other winners include Julius Erving, Bob Lanier, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson and Joe Dumars.   Related information Stories Grant hopes Blazers learn from Game 5 defeat to Jazz Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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