Deandre Ayton
December 2025
Ayton was recognised for leading hurricane relief in Jamaica and expanding food-access and cultural-equity programmes in Los Angeles. His foundation reopened a community centre in his mother’s hometown, turned it into a relief hub after Hurricane Melissa and funded roof repairs and ongoing rebuilding efforts for affected families. In LA, Ayton’s Alley Oop Program supplies tickets and partners with local groups to tackle food insecurity, while backing SüprMarkt LA’s SNAP BACK scheme to deliver fresh produce to underserved communities. The award, carrying a $20,000 donation to his foundation, acknowledges sustained, hands-on work that ties his NBA platform to concrete local impact.