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Bulls.com

NEW YORK – The NBA today announced Chicago Bulls guard-forward DeMar DeRozan as the&nbsp;NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award&nbsp;winner for the month of March.&nbsp; DeRozan is being recognized for his efforts in mental health advocacy and supporting youth in Chicago.&nbsp; DeRozan will receive the David Robinson trophy and the NBA will donate $10,000 to Coffee, Hip-Hop and Mental Health, a mental health advocacy group in Chicago.

Throughout February and March, DeRozan released “Dinners with DeMar” – a new video series where he hosts current and former players to have impactful conversations focusing on mental health at the dinner table.&nbsp; Since the series launched, DeRozan has hosted three full-length episodes featuring Draymond Green, Damian Lillard and Dwyane Wade.&nbsp; Each episode features more than 45 minutes of meaningful dialogue and transparent conversations on mental health for athletes and society.&nbsp; To date, the series has garnered more than 425,000 views on YouTube and serves as an effort to break the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.&nbsp; Additionally, DeRozan hosted a premiere for the series at his alma mater, the University of Southern California (USC), where DeRozan and student-athletes from the men’s and women’s basketball teams discussed how they manage their mental health.&nbsp; Full episodes and short clips are available on DeRozan’s YouTube channel with additional episodes to be released in the future.

Throughout the season, DeRozan has partnered with Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH), a Chicago non-profit that provides free therapy to those facing financial barriers to break the stigma around mental health.&nbsp; In March, CHHAMH launched a DeMar DeRozan-inspired coffee drink and hoodie with proceeds benefiting the local coffee shop and their weekly men’s group therapy meetings for an entire year.&nbsp; DeRozan amplified the impact by inviting Bulls teammates, Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry, to join him in a few sessions with the men’s therapy group.

“As a Bulls and NBA player, I’m grateful for the opportunity to build a platform I can use to make real change and work to break the stigma around mental health,” said DeRozan.&nbsp; “Throughout the years, I’ve seen what can happen when people have honest conversations about mental health and understand that everyone faces challenges, including professional athletes. I look forward to creating more forums for difficult but necessary conversations and providing more resources to support mental health for those who most need it.”

In addition to his work around mental health advocacy, DeRozan has been engaged in the Chicago community supporting youth.&nbsp; In March, DeRozan partnered with Make-A-Wish to provide a VIP experience for a child and his family that included a meet and greet with the Bulls team, watching practice and courtside seats to a Bulls game.&nbsp; Earlier this year, DeRozan also hosted a young Bulls fan and cancer survivor along with his family on the team plane for an away game.

DeRozan will be recognized in-arena as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner during pre-game of the Apr. 17 Hawks-Bulls NBA Play-In Tournament game.&nbsp; Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas will present DeRozan with the award.

The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years.&nbsp; He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity.&nbsp; The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their community throughout the NBA season.&nbsp; Each monthly winner receives the David Robinson trophy and the NBA makes a donation to the charity or foundation of the player’s choice.&nbsp; To learn more, please visit&nbsp;https://communityassist.nba.com/.

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DeMar DeRozan named NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award March winner

chiadreyfuss

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Bulls and Horizon Therapeutics host PE Takeover at Perspectives Charter School

We hosted an exclusive Q&A with Bulls G/F Onuralp Bitim in our official Discord server. Join&nbsp;here&nbsp;so you don't miss out on future giveaways and Q&As with Bulls players and alumni!

Question: OB! What's your favorite food in Chicago? - @Dale

Onuralp Bitim: That's a tough one because I love Chicago restaurants already but I'm going to say I love short ribeye. Wherever I go in Chicago, I'm just ordering short ribeye haha.

Q: Recommendations on Turkish food I should try? - @Quey

OB: I found some [Turkish places in Chicago] but some of them I still haven't been able to go to. I will let our fans know when I find a good Turkish spot. The manti is my favorite Turkish food -- it's like a ravioli, there's a little meat inside and then on top of it is tomato sauce and yogurt. I'm craving that.

Q: How did you feel the first time stepping on the UC court? - @YoungJordan

OB: It's unbelievable. It's a blessing to go out there in front of our Bulls fans because they're crazy. It's good to be around them because they're supportive and the atmosphere is just magical.

Q: Who inspires you and pushes you daily to get better at basketball? - @yvnyungboi

OB: My mom and my dad helped me a lot and then my basketball idols like MJ and Kobe. But mostly it was me because every day even when I'm tired, or low motivated I just found a way to motivate myself and follow my dreams.

Q: Who was a player that you idolized or grew up watching?

OB: MJ and Kobe, definitely. They both have a killer mentality and they're both huge competitors, not just great players or great scorers.

Q: Playing in Europe and now the US, what have been the biggest differences between the two? - @JiTarion

OB: I mean the game speed is very different here compared to Europe. Basketball is international but the speed and some things are different. There's much more skillful players here, better players here, so I mean attacking and defending when your opponent is really good can be harder.

Q: What does it mean to be able to play and represent your country with the National Team?

OB: It's a dream come true. I've always wanted to become an important national team player because it's a huge privilege to represent your country in front of the other countries. I think we have a very talented team and I have huge confidence that we will have a gold medal in some tournament in the next few years.

Q: Hello OB, I think most fans don't know you've won dunk contests in 2020 and 2019, are you interested in doing the Slam Dunk contest if you get invited? - @D-Flo27

OB: I mean definitely, why not? I'm a sneaky athlete, that's what my teammates say. If I have a good opportunity in a game, I will show our fans a nice 360° dunk.

Q: If you could posterize anyone currently playing or retired, who would you posterize? - @definitesauce12

OB: Definitely there are some players on my list that I want to poster but I don't want to tell the list because I don't want them to have a heads up haha. But definitely I have a list and it will come.

Q: Hey OB. Been following your journey from the UK since before you signed, which parts of your game do you think you need to improve to get regular NBA minutes? Also I'm going to Antalya in August, any recommendations for things to do? - @MattSeeRedUK

OB: I have a lot of plans to improve my skills. Since I came to the Bulls, I'm trying to focus on my quick decisions because the game is faster and you need to decide quick. And then also my shots because we have very capable, very skillful guards and they can find you whenever you are open. So I'm just trying to be ready to shoot.

Definitely, my family lives there actually! It's a very nice spot, the weather is kind of like Miami. Definitely you should visit the Konyaalti Beach, it's a very magical place. And then Belek for the nice hotels and great golf courses and everything. I can definitely recommend those. At Konyaalti Beach, there are nice cliffs and the sea and I'd recommend going out there and enjoying the view.

Q: Hey OB, huge fan of you brotha. I just want to know what it was like going from undrafted to a superstar off the bench. You truly have such a great come up and story and it’s very well-deserved! Also, what is it like playing alongside amazing players such as DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Coby White? What are your bonds with them? - @Super

OB: It's a huge privilege [playing next to them] because it's not only on the court that they're helping me and teaching me things. Also off the court, they are all great guys. They are all very humble. It's a huge privilege for me to have teammates and brothers like that.

Q: OB you had to be patient for most of the season before getting the opportunity to take your moment. How did you stay mentally ready for that? - @Neill See Red UK

OB: It might be exciting or stressful in the beginning but at the end of the day, I'm doing a job that I really love. And I'm doing a job that I'm really talented for. So when I hear my name, even if I got excited for a little bit, when I am stepping on the court, everything just goes away. It's the same basketball that I've been playing since I was a child, and I just focus on myself and my great teammates.

Q: OB glad to have you on the team! How do you feel about Chicago? - @itsjose

OB: I love it. I love enjoying the good restaurants or the riverwalk when the weather is nicer. I've only been in Chicago for let's say a season so there's still lots to explore. I've been to dinners with my teammates and some of our coaching staff so I'm still exploring a new place every day. So I can say Chicago is a beautiful place, there's a lot to do and I'm enjoying everything.

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Onuralp Bitim Q&A

We hosted an exclusive Q&A with Bulls Legend Luol Deng in our official Discord server. Join here so you don't miss out on future giveaways and Q&As with Bulls players and alumni!

Question: How special is it for you to have the South Sudan national team playing in London against Team USA this summer before the Olympics (and playing during the Olympics too)? - @frenchbullsfan

Luol Deng: Probably one of my biggest achievements and probably one of the most exciting things that ever happened for our country. I’m excited to go back to the Olympics because I played in it in 2012, but also to play the US in London. The Olympics is a dream come true.

Q: Luol I love you. You, Kirk, Noah, Rose, Gibson, and Butler had an infectious intensity. You were all drafted by the Bulls. No matter what happened in the game, you never gave up, how did you create this culture? - @bertonery

LD: I gotta give that to Paxson, honestly. I always tell people, I think Pax is one of the best at drafting players, and he drafted us with characters that fit together. Kirk Hinrich, myself, Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Derrick obviously, Jimmy Butler. You can keep going but Pax really had an eye towards building and drafting individuals that are not just skilled but had heart. And he knew what the city wanted. I’ve always been and was a big Pax fan, and think he didn’t get the credit he deserved. His drafting is one of the best I’ve seen.

Q: Hey Luol, we see the work you're doing with South Sudan and full credit on that. But do you keep an eye on any up and coming UK talent? - @MattSeeRedUK

LD: Yes, I do. My camp was the first camp to rank players, and since we did that system, you can see the change in basketball in the UK. Kids are more competitive, want to be the best because of the ranking system. My camp stopped since Covid, but look forward to getting back hopefully next year.

Q: Hey, Luol Deng! I am currently a South Sudanese College Student that’s about to graduate soon & I have a passion for basketball and being involved in the basketball scene. Working with the South Sudanese Basketball teams is one of my goals. What are some advice that you could give me to achieve that goal? - @Mac

LD: Probably just learn the game as much as possible and whatever area your focus is in, do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. Keep getting better, and add in your own ideas to make it special.

Q: What was your relationship with Kobe like, were y'all very close with each other? - @Rekty

LD: We were very close. There was a time that we were talking a lot, obviously, when the Bulls and Lakers were talking about a trade and Kobe wouldn’t let the trade happen unless I stayed, and the trade fell through. It wasn’t because of the Bulls or Lakers, it was because of Kobe. The Bulls wouldn’t trade me to the Lakers unless Kobe was in that trade and Kobe said no.

Q: What was your favorite game as a Bull in your career? - @Dale

LD: When I scored 40 points at home against Portland, or maybe even the games where we were playing the Heat where LeBron was there. Those games always got the fan energy home and away, energy was amazing. We broke their win streak… I scored 28 or 32 that game. We would get up more for those games, we took it really personal. We didn’t want them to break records at the United Center. That game, Joakim Noah was hurt and I think maybe Kirk too….We had guys out and we decided as a team that we can’t lose to them.

We would win a title if Derrick doesn’t get hurt. Maybe even a couple. The level Derrick was playing at – I’ve never played with anyone at that level, and at that age the dominance that he has. Everything happens for a reason I guess but to me that’s one of those things that hurts. It hurt me, even when it happened. I knew it would change a lot of things, not just for Derrick but for all of us.

Q: How did it feel to be relied upon to play so many minutes by Thibs? - @YoungJordan

LD: I loved it. I think that Thibs is probably the one coach - I played for Scott Skiles also that I liked - but Thibs was the one coach I played for where I just played. DIdn’t think anything selfishly, points, just knew I’d get a lot of minutes and just play hard and trust that everything comes together. And that’s when Bulls fans loved me as well, they knew I’d play hard for them.

Q: Hey Luol, what was your typical pre-game ritual? - @DChan87

LD: After shootaround, I would take a nap for an hour and a half. I would always stretch at home, do something light. My pregame was always salmon, brown rice, and spinach. Even when I was on the road, I would try to find that.

Q: What was your favorite shoe to wear during games? - @Super

LD: The Durants. There’s something about the Durants – the 10 or 11s. If you can find a size 15, you let me know. I’m looking for them anywhere.

Q: How good do you think prime D-Rose would be compared to the competition of today? - @JorGoat

LD: He would be even better. His speed, and with more possessions in a game now – 33 more possessions in the game now and the way its reffed, he would have a huge advantage.

Q: What is one skill or drill every young player aspiring to go pro needs to master? - @definitesause12

LD: There is three things: Number one is obviously shooting. You need to be able to shoot. Two is handles, you need to dribble well. And number three is footwork. If you have those three things, you’re giving yourself a chance. Everybody’s athleticism is different, your footwork and how to move your feet, where they’re supposed to be on defense, coming off the screens, is also footwork. If you can shoot it changes the game so people gotta respect that, it opens up anything.

Q: Who was your favorite player to guard during your time in the league? - @sandman

LD: There's nobody I'm happy to guard, haha. That is work right there.

Q: The Guardian dubbed you "Britain's Secret Superstar".. who's your favorite British Superstar? (sports or anything else) - @SpaceGhostForce

LD: Ian Wright from Arsenal. He's a footballer and he's the reason I'm a Gunners fan.

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Luol Deng Q&A

chiljimenez

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Chicago Bulls Charities 2024

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Bulls and First Alert Host Take Charge of Safety Event at South Loop Elementary School

CHICAGO – Today, Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH), a Chicago non-profit that provides free therapy to those facing financial barriers, launched a DeMar DeRozan-inspired coffee drink and hoodie in partnership with the Chicago Bulls. The proceeds of these products will benefit CHHAMH and their weekly men’s group therapy for a year.

“Coffee, Hip Hop and Mental Health is making a real difference in the lives of many Chicagoans. I’ve joined them for a few group therapy sessions, and each time I’m humbled by the shared humanity of the men in the room and the impact of these services,” said DeMar DeRozan. “Mental health is an issue that is deeply personal to me and affects so many. I’m honored to join them and help support their mission as we work together to break the stigma around mental health.”

The DeRozan Latte is a cinnamon vanilla latte, available hot or iced, and will cost $11, a callback to his jersey number. The hoodie, which costs $80, is available in four different colors and features designs inspired by DeMar and his commitment to elevating the conversation around mental health. Christopher LeMark, the founder of CHHAMH, first designed the hoodie as a gift for DeMar, when he attended a group therapy session. Based on popular demand, they have made the sweatshirt available for purchase in four colors.

“When you look up the definition of support, it means to bear all or part of the weight or to hold up. It also means to give assistance to, especially financially; to enable people to function or act. That’s the heartbeat of this organization, to truly support our community,” said Christopher LeMark, founder and CEO of Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health. “We want to empower them to take a holistic approach to their mental health. When we empower, that's true impact. When we get a chance to collaborate with influential organizations such as the Chicago Bulls, this allows us to create more impact and extends our reach of support to the individuals that truly need assistance.”

Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health is a Chicago-based non-profit that provides free individual and group therapy to those facing financial barriers, particularly in Black neighborhoods. The donation-based coffee shop model funds the program, builds community and is a space of refuge for those in need of support. Hip-hop is intentionally infused in everything they do, from the beverage menu to the creatively curated events they host throughout the city.

Starting today, both items are available for purchase at the Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health Café, located in Lakeview at 1051 W Belmont Ave. Customers can purchase the hoodie at the café or online at www.chhamh.org/shop, as supplies last. All proceeds will benefit CHHAMH’s mental health services, including covering the cost of their weekly men’s group therapy sessions for a year.&nbsp;

The Bulls understand the importance of mental health and make investments both with employees and in the community to increase access to resources and reduce stigma. The team employs a full-time psychologist who supports mental health and performance for the team, and the organization offers all employees free Headspace subscriptions. The Bulls also support community access to mental health resources through philanthropy and events. Recently, the Bulls have offered yoga for youth with The Healing, hosted art therapy for Ukrainian refugees with Noah’s Arc Foundation, offered mental health sessions for moms who have lost children to violence with Mural Movement and facilitated a full-day mental health summit for sophomores at South Shore International College Prep. &nbsp;

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Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health Launch DeMar DeRozan Inspired Coffee and Hoodie

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Bulls and BMO host All-Girls Youth Hoops Clinic at The Miracle Center

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