Basketball

Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young helps erase over $1 million of debt for families in need

By Joshua Doering Jan 9, 2020
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (AP Photo/John Amis)

Over $1 million of medical debt owed by 570 families in the Atlanta area is gone thanks to Hawks guard Trae Young. The second-year pro donated $10,000 through his foundation and partnered with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit organization, to erase $1,059,186.39 worth of past-due medical debt.

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“The city of Atlanta has welcomed me with open arms,” Young said in a press release. “Giving back to this community is extremely important to me. I hope these families can find a bit of relief knowing that their bills have been taken care of as we enter the New Year.”

A man of faith, Young’s heart for others stems from his devotion to God. He says he thanks “God for everything constantly.” He grew up in Norman, Okla., where he attended Victory Family Church with his family while starring at the University of Oklahoma. He continued attending church even as his star rose and he’d often get swarmed.

Young averaged 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game in his only season as a Sooner and was taken with the fifth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, ultimately ending up with the Hawks after a trade on draft night. Since joining the NBA, he has continued to openly share his faith on Twitter, and attend church. He once ran into Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence at church in Atlanta.

Young posted 19.1 points and 8.1 assists per game as a rookie, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. This season, Young has upped his production to another level. He is fourth in the NBA in scoring average (29.2) and fifth in assists per game (8.5) through games on Jan. 8.

Young posted his second triple-double of the season against the Rockets on Wednesday night, finishing with 42 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. He was the leading vote-getter among Eastern Conference guards in the first round of All-Star voting returns that were announced on Jan. 2.

Young and the Hawks are back in action Friday night when they travel to take on the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. ET.

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