Slam Dunk Central

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It is widely known about Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups and his overall body of work on the basketball court; what isn’t known - and Chauncey, if he had his way, would like to keep it that way - is that Billups spends a countless amount of time away from the court, giving to charitable and community service causes.? Because of his selflessness, Billups, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, has been awarded the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, as voted on by?The Professional Basketball Writers Association.? Billups, in a vote of the 150 members of the Association, edged out Charlotte Bobcats forward/center Emeke Okafor.

Billups, when he isn’t on the hardwood, keeps up an active schedule of charitable appearances - most involving underprivileged children - in Detroit, Minneapolis and his hometown of Denver, CO.? Some of the not-for-profits he donates time and funds to include: The Childrens Center, of which he has helped raise more than $100,000 in the form of a golf tournament; He has, for the past 7 years, been involved with the “Why Can’t I Go” program, which is based out of the Minneapolis area.? The program provides learning opportunities through travelling experiences - including Billups providing 30 tickets for youth from the Minneapolis area to a Pistons game every year.

But the big thing that Billups is probably most proud of is the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy in Denver; the academy prepares kids for college; Billups, on his part, is hands-on as he takes part for 3 weeks each summer with students, promoting leadership, critical thinking, team work and conflict resolution skills.? Billups is the 5th Pistons player to win the award - along with former Pistons Joe Dumars, Bob Lanier, Kent Benson and Isiah Thomas.

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