Presented by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), PVA NextGen is a platform for middle school and high school-aged basketball players to recognize and honor their peers for skills and achievements both on and off the court

NEW YORK, NY, July 28, 2021 - The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced earlier this week the launch of its first-ever NBPA Players’ Voice Awards (PVA) NextGen. Presented by HSS, PVA NextGen is a platform for middle school and high school-aged basketball players to recognize and honor their peers for skills and achievements both on and off the court. PVA NextGen is designed to emulate the annual NBPA Players’ Voice Awards, a platform first created in 2015 that provides current NBA players the opportunity to vote and recognize each other for their individual accomplishments both on and off the court. This year, the NBPA Players’ Voice is dedicating its platform to celebrating the collective efforts of the players who pushed through the pandemic to bring basketball back while also keeping the fight for social justice at the forefront.

The NBPA is partnering with SLAM, the global basketball brand and leading publisher of hoops culture, to promote and amplify the PVA NextGen nomination submission and voting process. The winners of the PVA NextGen will be recognized on SLAM’s social channels in addition to receiving other prizes. Ranked No. 1 for orthopedics 11 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report (2020-2021), HSS is dedicated to helping people, including young athletes, get back to what they need and love to do better than any other place in the world.

The award categories for PVA NextGen include:

The Locksmith Award - This award is dedicated to the lockdown defender who anchors the team defensively with his or her presence and energy

The Mr. / Ms. Clutch Award - This award is designed for the go-to player who is ready to step up and hit the big shot when the clock is winding down and the game is on the line

The Best Signature Move, Presented by HSS - This award is for the player whose signature move dominates the league's defenders over and over again

The People’s Champ Award - This award is dedicated to the player who gives as much off the court as they do on it, always striving to make his or her community better through service and advocacy

The Backbone Award - This award is for the player who represents the heart and soul of the team, a leader who brings everyone together through the ups and downs of the season

The Sneaker Champ Award - This award is dedicated to the player with the best sneaker style on and off the court

Nominations for PVA NextGen are now open and will close in mid-August with category finalists being announced on August 20, 2021.

"Designed to mirror our Players’ Voice Awards, PVA Next Gen creates a platform for youth basketball players to recognize and celebrate their teammates for their unique skills and accomplishments on and off the court," said Payne Brown, President of THINK450. "We are excited to share this platform with the grassroots basketball community and honor these standout players.”

For updates and information on the rules, nominations and the voting process, please visit https://nbpa.com/pva-next-gen.

About the NBPA

The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, or counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players’ group licensing rights.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations around the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. 

About THINK450

THINK450 is the innovation and partnership engine of the NBPA. We uncover shared interests between our 450 players and leading brands to build more engaging partnerships. Together with our partners, THINK450 creates original ideas that engage fans, stir them to action, and earn brands the right to participate in cultural conversations. For more information, visit THINK450.com.

About HSS

HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 11th consecutive year), No. 4 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2020-2021), and named a leader in pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2020-2021). HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics by Newsweek (2020-2021). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest complication and readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. The HSS Global Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 130 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.

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