NEW YORK, NY, August 16, 2022 - The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2nd annual NBPA Players’ Voice Awards (PVA) NextGen. Presented by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and SLAM, PVA NextGen is a platform created for middle 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 NBPA’s Players’ Voice Awards, which were first created in 2015 to provide current NBA players the opportunity to vote and recognize each other for their individual accomplishments both on and off the court. 

Nominations for this year’s PVA NextGen opened on July 5 and closed on July 17 and the finalists of each category were announced on July 22 via the NBPA and SLAM’s social channels. Fans then had the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalists and the NBPA is pleased to announce the following top vote-getters as the 2022 NBPA PVA NextGen Winners:

The Locksmith Award - Dalton Norvell, Ramona, CA

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 - Rykan Woo, Lake Forest, IL

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 - Jahiem Crayton, Buford, GA

This award is for the player whose signature move dominates the league's defenders over and over again.

The People’s Champ Award - Dooney Johnson, Milwaukee, WI

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 - Preston Helgeson, Winstead, MN

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 - Kyle Jackson, Cleveland, OH

This award is dedicated to the player with the best sneaker style on and off the court.

Each of the 2022 PVA NextGen winners listed above will receive a $2,000 grant courtesy of HSS to support their respective basketball organizations. They will also be honored in an on-court ceremony hosted by NBPA member Jose Alvarado at this year's SLAM Summer Classic in New York City.

Please direct all media inquiries to communications@nbpa.com.

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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 for-profit 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, dedicated to uncovering shared interests between the 450 players and leading brands to build more engaging partnerships. Together with its 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 13th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2022-2023), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2022-2023). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a second consecutive year (2022). 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 five consecutive times. 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 Innovation Institute works 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 145 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.

About SLAM

For 28 years and counting, SLAM has been the most authentic brand in basketball storytelling. What started as a magazine in 1994 has now grown into a global lifestyle brand and multimedia property with 20-plus social channels, a burgeoning merchandise division and multiple franchise events annually. With over 16 million engaged followers across the globe, SLAM and its channels reach fans of the NBA, WNBA, college and high school and the worlds of fashion, sneakers, gaming and more in a unique and trusted voice. The cover of SLAM remains the Holy Grail for basketball players; if you want to play in the NBA or WNBA you want to be on the cover of SLAM. www.slamonline.com