The 2026 Bobby Jones Award, which recognizes character, leadership and faith, was presented to NBA champion and former Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets coach Avery Johnson.
Johnson was an integral part of the San Antonio Spurs team that won the NBA championship in 1999, eventually having his jersey retired by the Spurs in 2006. Throughout his NBA playing career, which spanned 16 years and six franchises, he averaged 8.4 points and 5.5 assists per game. In his post-playing career, he served as head coach of the Mavericks, leading the franchise to its first-ever NBA Finals appearance in 2006. Johnson was named the NBA Coach of the Year that same season and went on to coach Dallas for two more years before joining the Brooklyn Nets in 2010. From 2015-19, he served as the head coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team.
The event included:
§ 2026 Bobby Jones Award winner and NBA champion Avery Johnson
§ 2026 Jerry Colangelo Award winner and Knicks executive Allan Houston
§ UCLA alumnus, 4X NCAA champion and 6X All-American gymnast Kim Anthony
§ Los Angeles Clippers Chaplain Julian Lowe
§ Co-Host on FOX TV’s “First Things First” and former ESPN NBA Analyst Chris Broussard as the event emcee
The 2026 Jerry Colangelo Award, which recognizes an NBA executive for leadership and character, was presented to former New York Knicks guard and current VP Allan Houston. Houston, drafted initially by Detroit in 1993, went on to play nine seasons with the Knicks and was a member of the 1999 NBA Finals team. A two-time NBA All-Star, he averaged 17.3 points per game and was a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team that took home the gold in the 2000 Summer Olympics. After serving as general manager for the Knicks G League affiliate, Houston is currently the Vice President of Player Leadership and Development for the NBA franchise he called home for nine seasons.
Hosting the All-Star Breakfast during the NBA All-Star Weekend is just one way Athletes in Action honors all that is great in the game of basketball. This year, the organization’s initiative All-Star Moms is supporting single mothers in the Los Angeles community by teaming up with local non-profits.
All-Star Breakfast is proud to partner with Prospeak, Shepherd Sports and Powerhaus Agency as sponsors of the event.
The All-Star Breakfast is part of Athletes in Action’s series of events designed to honor athletes and coaches who model exemplary character