Atlanta Hawks John Collins Awarded Jason Collier Memorial Trophy For His Commitment To Community Service

It was announced today that Atlanta Hawks third year Big Man John Collins has been awarded the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy for the 2019-20 season.

While serving as an Honorary Big for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Collins hosted Bigs and Littles at Hawks games throughout the season, led a virtual basketball clinic for 90 Littles, and participated in a town hall to increase support and recruit adults to serve as Bigs.

“John Collins has shown so much support to our program within the two years he’s been involved. He’s surprised several matches with trips to cities they may have never had the opportunity to visit, he’s provided tickets to countless Hawks games, and, most recently, he held a virtual workout session with nearly 90 Littles – amazing attendance for a virtual event. We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with John as an Honorary Big Brother.” said Kwame Johnson, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta.

Collins also provides meals and clothing to Veterans Empowerment Organization. He also visited patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and virtually connected with COVID-19 patients and frontline employees at Emory Healthcare and sponsored Goodr pop-up grocery giveaways for roughly 600 families in Atlanta and his hometown West Palm Beach, FL.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy,” said Collins. “Giving back and providing assistance, whether in Atlanta or West Palm Beach, is extremely important to me and I am proud to carry on Jason Collier’s legacy of connecting with the community beyond the basketball court.”

https://twitter.com/atlhawks/status/1273307805634760705?s=21

“Congratulations to John Collins on being named the recipient of this year’s Jason Collier Memorial Trophy,” said Collier’s widow, Katie.

Collins is the 13th player to receive the award, earned annually by the Hawks player who most closely exemplifies the characteristics of a community ambassador displayed by the late Atlanta center Jason Collier, who died suddenly at the age of 28 in 2005.