Golden State Warriors' Gary Payton II Shouts Out GOT7's BamBam

American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA (also known as the National Basketball Association), Gary Payton II, gave GOT7‘s BamBam a shout-out.

While the Golden State Warriors are currently competing against the Boston Celtics in The 2022 NBA Finals, Gary Payton II was awarded the NBA Care’s “Bob Lanier Community Assist Award” for the 2021-2022 season this week. A representative from Decoding Dyslexia surprised him with it.

The NBA today announced it will rename the Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award in honor of late Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA Cares Global Ambassador, Bob Lanier, for his dedication to teaching NBA values and making a positive impact on communities across the globe. The first winner of the new Bob Lanier Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente for the 2021-22 season is Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II. Payton was selected by fans during a 12-day public voting period and by an NBA executive panel for his sustained community outreach in support of youth in the Bay Area over the course of the season.

— NBA Cares

Jayden, Pittsburg resident and representative from Decoding Dyslexia, surprised @Garydwayne with the NBA’s season-long Bob Lanier Community Assist Award. pic.twitter.com/ZYbIwZngrc

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 31, 2022

Gary Payton II has been praised for his outstanding community service to the Bay Area youth.

Payton II has prioritized engaging with and giving back to his community, particularly through initiatives related to youth with learning disabilities and those dealing with hardship. This season, he founded the GPII Foundation, a nonprofit that acts as a conduit for Dyslexia-awareness, an educational disability he has dealt with throughout his life. The foundation provides funding for educators to become certified in early intervention services and support for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, including early screening, detection and certified assessment for youth and young adults.

— NBA Cares

Man of the people!@Garydwayne has been named the winner of the NBA’s 2021-22 Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for his outstanding work with Bay Area youth throughout the season 👏 pic.twitter.com/RlVbRxqGfp

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 31, 2022

He especially has continually assisted young people with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. He himself struggles with dyslexia, so he hopes to help others.

Payton’s own personal struggle with dyslexia, and his passion and efforts to uplift young people impacted, led to the Warriors expanding their Read to Achieve program to specifically include students with learning disabilities. He also led attended a rally at San Francisco City Hall in support of universal screening for risk of dyslexia via Senate Bill 237 and hosted his first-ever Reading Rally with Decoding Dyslexia for students affected by learning disabilities. Additionally, Payton participated in the Warriors’ Black History Month celebrations and 75^th Anniversary Live, Learn or Play Center dedication, among other events. He was awarded the January monthly NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente.

— NBA Cares

Golden State @warriors Gary Payton II (@Garydwayne) named winner of the 2021-22 Bob Lanier Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente (@kpthrive) for his ongoing support of youth facing hardships & with learning disabilities.

Learn more: https://t.co/sQM3e4aRIz pic.twitter.com/8v6AhDLe2P

— NBA Cares (@nbacares) May 31, 2022

During a recent press conference following the awarding, Gary Payton II expressed gratitude for all who supported him. This included GOT7’s BamBam!

I appreciate the organization and the league, you know, eveybody for supporting—Shout-out BamBam!

— Gary Payton II

Here’s Gary Payton II on winning the Community Assist Award. Gave @BamBam1A a shoutout. pic.twitter.com/TM8Ot3gjMu

— C.J. Holmes 🦹🏾‍♂️ (@CjHolmes22) May 31, 2022

gary payton II winning the community assist award and he gave @BamBam1A a shoutout 🥺 his smile when he said that 🥺 anw, congratulations ✨#BamBam #BamBamxGSW #GaryPaytonII pic.twitter.com/l4YjVXE3QO

— yuna. (@thalassadwarf) June 1, 2022

BamBam is officially the Golden State Warriors’ Global Ambassador. He has been previously credited as assisting Andrew Wiggins in his appointment as an NBA All-Star starter.

Andrew Wiggins appreciates @BamBam1A for the #NBAAllStar support 🤝 pic.twitter.com/09GK3OnPd7

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 30, 2022

BamBam also recently released the single “Wheels Up” with Mayzin under the Warriors-launched label Golden State Entertainment (also known as GSE). He debuted it at his history-making half-time show.