March 30, 2002
Former Georgia Tech and NBA basketball standout Mark Price received the “Coach Wooden Keys to Life Award” Saturday at the sixth annual National Association of Basketball Coaches-sanctioned Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast at the Atlanta Hilton and Towers.
The 91-year-old legendary coach John Wooden presented the award to Price in front of 1,000 business executives and a strong cast of basketball legends including Jerry Lucas, Clark Kellogg and members of the Harlem Globetrotters. The award, named in honor of Coach Wooden, is given annually to a member of the basketball community who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership on and off the court.
Price, an Atlanta resident who is highly regarded for his community contributions, was selected from an outstanding group of finalists that included his former Cleveland Cavalier teammate and NBA All-Star Brad Daugherty, as well as NBA Hall of Famer David Thompson and Bryce Drew of the Charlotte Hornets.
A two-time all-America and three-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, Price graduated from Georgia Tech as the school’s second all-time leading scorer with 2,193 points. The 6-foot guard was named Most Valuable Player of the 1985 ACC Tournament leading the Yellow Jackets to their first-ever ACC title.
During his 12-year professional career, Price was a four-time NBA All-Star and a member of Dream Team II. He spent nine of his 12 seasons with Cleveland and still holds many records for the Cavaliers, who retired his jersey in 2000. Among his many statistical accomplishments is the top career free throw percentage in NBA history at 90.4 percent.
The husband and father of four has given back to the community through numerous charitable endeavors, including the Mark Price Charitable Foundation to support Christian Ministries.
The 2002 Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast, hosted by Athletes in Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is held annually in the Final Four host city. The event provides business executives the opportunity to hear from college and professional coaches and players who come to share about their successes, failures, families and faith.
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