PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 23: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game One of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Suns guard Chris Paul received the inaugural Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA advocacy award for his significant contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball, including the WNBA.
“I have seen first-hand Chris’ appreciation of the WNBA and the game at every level for women and girls, especially in Phoenix and North Carolina, and his ardent support of our game strongly reflects the legacy of Kobe and Gigi,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “The league is proud to name Chris as the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, as he serves as a leader and role model for other professional athletes around growing the future of the game for young girls and all fans.”
The league and Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, presented him with the award during the NBA All-Star Game Sunday evening.
The WNBA credits Paul for promoting the girls’ game through camps and his CP3 Basketball Academy.
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The WNBA says the award was conceived to highlight Bryant’s “legacy as a coach and mentor and Gigi’s inspirational, relentless commitment to playing at the highest levels of the game.” The league also says it will make a donation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which was created by the Bryant family to honor the Lakers star and Gigi.
The 36-year-old Paul is a 12-time All-Star, averaging 14.9 points and 10.7 assists per game for the league-best 48-10 Suns this season.
The 2022 WNBA season kicks off on May 6.
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