SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and ground-breaking rap star, renowned blockbuster film producer and actor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the BIG3 basketball league, Ice Cube, have announced that former player, TV analyst, and philanthropist Jalen Rose will be honored with the 2025 Ice Cube Impact Award.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the Ice Cube Impact Award,” said Jalen Rose. “Cube is family, and we share an unwavering dedication to giving back to the communities that raised us. Basketball created opportunities for us in different ways and has allowed both of us to make a lasting impact beyond the court. I’m grateful for this recognition and proud to be celebrated in the Hall’s museum.”
Rose’s impact extends well beyond the basketball court through his unwavering commitment to education and community development in his hometown of Detroit. In 2011, he founded the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA), an open-enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school focused on academic excellence and family. JRLA prides itself on being a 9-16 model, to and through college, and offers AP courses, college tours, summer programs, and dual enrollment opportunities. Rose remains hands-on as the president of the Board of Directors and is actively fundraising to bridge the funding gap, raise dollars for college scholarships, and support a $20 million capital campaign to expand the school. Jalen also has a scholarship endowment at the University of Michigan.
Beyond education, Jalen serves as a volunteer Board Member for the National Basketball Players Association Foundation and partners with New Era Detroit, a community organization that focuses on community engagement, resource distribution, and safety initiatives. His dedication to Detroit and beyond is reflected in the time, resources, and leadership he continues to invest in the city where he was raised.
“Throughout his entire career, Jalen has consistently been a force for good,” said Ice Cube, who was recognized last year with the inaugural award. “Not only does he give back to his communities through fundraising, education, and, most importantly, through basketball, but he leads by example, championing the exact values this award was created to celebrate. His impact can be felt deeply in Detroit, and his commitment to building up the next generation is inspiring. I could not be more honored that we have named Jalen Rose this year’s Ice Cube Impact Award recipient and thank him for his tireless dedication to lifting up communities through the beautiful game of basketball.”
The Ice Cube Impact Award was created in 2024 to recognize individuals making substantial contributions to their communities through basketball. As the eponymous recipient, Ice Cube was honored with the inaugural award for his creation of the BIG3 basketball league alongside Jeff Kwatinetz in 2017. The league plays the premier global version of professionalized 3-on-3 basketball and is committed to increasing the opportunity, entertainment, diversity, and growth of the 3-on-3 game. The Ice Cube Impact Award is permanently housed in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s museum and recognizes honorees through a dedicated exhibit and in-depth storytelling.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see Ice Cube and the Hall of Fame come together for something this impactful,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “Ice Cube’s influence goes way beyond entertainment—he’s a cultural icon who’s using his platform to uplift communities through education and philanthropy. This partnership represents a modern, meaningful opportunity for the Hall to celebrate not just basketball excellence, but the power of the game to drive real change. Jalen Rose is a remarkable selection for the Ice Cube Impact Award, embodying the values this honor was created to recognize.”
The Ice Cube Impact Award will be presented to Jalen Rose at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame during Enshrinement Weekend festivities on Saturday, September 6, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
About Ice Cube
Ice Cube, a legendary figure in the world of music and entertainment, has proven time and time again that his talents and passions extend far beyond the realm of music and movies. While he initially gained fame as a member of the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A., Ice Cube has since carved out a multifaceted career that spans acting, directing, producing, and even sports ownership. Following N.W.A., Ice Cube pursued a successful solo music career and later established himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry through his acting roles and contributions to filmmaking, starring in numerous films such as “Boyz n the Hood,” “Friday,” and “Barbershop.” In 2017, he co-founded the BIG3, which aimed to bring an exciting 3-on-3 basketball league to fans, featuring former NBA stars and other professional players. Among Ice Cube’s many awards and honors, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A. in 2016 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017. For more information on Ice Cube, visit icecube.com or follow @icecube.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophall.
About Jalen Rose Leadership Academy
The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy is an open enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school that launched in September 2011. The Academy just completed its fourteenth year of operations and graduated its eleventh senior class. The school will serve more than 400 ninth through twelfth grade scholars this fall in addition to over 1,000 alumni. JRLA works to empower its scholars to develop the strength of character, skills, and knowledge needed to matriculate, be great in, and graduate from college or a post-secondary program so they have opportunities to be successful in the competitive world and take care of themselves and the people they love. JRLA is off to a strong start, having graduated more than 97 percent of its scholars, with 100 percent of all graduates gaining college, trade/technical school, or military acceptance. JRLA has achieved a 67 percent college matriculation rate within a year of graduation, surpassing the state average, and continues to focus on improving college persistence for its alumni. More info: jrladetroit.com.
About BIG3
On January 11, 2017, the BIG3 was born. The first-ever professional FIREBALL3 league is the brainchild of producer, actor, and music legend Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, who shared a vision of a player-centric league focused on entertainment and innovation. The BIG3 is a league with no garbage minutes, where trash talk is allowed, defense is emphasized, fast-paced action and where every point –whether it’s a 4-point or 3-point shot – counts. Any given BIG3 team has Hall of Famers, icons and trailblazers, and the next best 3-on-3 player.
The league has led the sports industry in diversity and opportunity, becoming the first professional sports league to implement a mental health policy, favor CBD as a pain management alternative to opioids, enlist female coaches of men, and appoint a black Commissioner in Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler, who is also professional sports’ first former player serving as Commissioner. The inaugural CEO was the legendary, incomparable Raider executive Amy Trask. This January 2024, BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube was honored at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, where he received the inaugural Ice Cube Impact Award, acknowledging individuals making substantial contributions to their community, the first non-player to be recognized. Founders Ice Cube and Jeffrey Kwatinetz are missioned to better society as BIG3 pursues business success while also helping to break down stereotypes, promote diversity in sports, create opportunities for black, brown, and female athletes beyond the court, and support the black, youth and basketball communities overall.—–
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GEORGE BLAHA, CLARK KELLOGG, MICHELLE SMITH, AND ADRIAN WOJNAROWSKI NAMED RECIPIENTS OF BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME’S 2025 CURT GOWDY MEDIA AWARDS
– Jeff Twiss Named Recipient of 2025 John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award –
SAN FRANCISCO – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the recipients of the 2025 Curt Gowdy Media Award and John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award at NBA All-Star Weekend.
Legendary Detroit Pistons play-by-play announcer George Blaha, renowned CBS analyst Clark Kellogg, veteran women’s basketball writer Michelle Smith, and influential NBA journalist Adrian Wojnarowski are the 2025 Curt Gowdy Media Award recipients. Boston Celtics long-time Vice President of Media and Alumni Relations Jeff Twiss is the recipient of the 2025 John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Curt Gowdy Media Award is named in honor of the late Curt Gowdy, a legendary sports broadcaster and former Hall of Fame Board member and President. This prestigious award is presented to members of the print, electronic, and transformative media whose efforts have made a significant contribution to the game of basketball.
The Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award was instituted by the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Board of Trustees in 1973 and is the most prestigious award presented by the Hall of Fame outside of Enshrinement. Named in honor of Hall of Famer John W. Bunn (Class of 1964), the first chairman of the Basketball Hall of Fame Committee who served from 1949-64, the award honors coaches, players, and contributors whose outstanding accomplishments have impacted the high school, college, professional, and/or the international game.
Blaha, Kellogg, Smith, Wojnarowski, and Twiss will be recognized for their contributions to basketball during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend on September 5-6. For further details, including ticket information, visit hoophall.com/events/enshrinement-2025.
Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award Recipient – George Blaha
George Blaha is a legendary sports broadcaster best known as the voice of the Detroit Pistons, a role he has held since 1976. In his nearly five decades behind the mic, Blaha has called over 3,400 regular-season games and over 260 playoff games.
Blaha has been behind the mic for the Pistons’ five Eastern Conference Championships, five NBA Finals appearances, and all three NBA Championships (1989, ’90, and 2004). His iconic play-by-play calls have made him a beloved figure among Detroit fans and cemented him as one of the most enduring and recognizable voices in the game.
His contributions to sports broadcasting have been widely recognized. In 2002, the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, of which he is an active member, awarded Blaha the Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting. He was honored as the Michigan Sports Broadcaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association in 2003 and ’07, and in 2008 he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award Recipient – Clark Kellogg
Clark Kellogg is a renowned basketball analyst and former professional player, best known for his work as a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports. Kellogg joined CBS Sports in 1993 and has been a part of its NCAA Tournament coverage for more than three decades. He served as studio co-host for early-round tournament coverage from 1994-97 before joining CBS Sports full time in 1997 as both a studio and game analyst for college basketball regular-season games and March Madness. His deep knowledge of the game, signature enthusiasm, and coining of ‘spurtability’ – describing a team’s ability to go on a substantial scoring run – have made him a fan favorite. In 2008, Kellogg replaced Billy Packer as CBS’s lead college basketball analyst, calling the Final Four and National Championship games alongside Jim Nantz until he returned to the studio in 2014.
Kellogg began his career in broadcasting shortly after ending his NBA career, signing on with his former team, the Indiana Pacers, as a radio analyst before making his television debut with Cleveland State University. In 1988, he joined ESPN, providing analysis for college basketball games and contributing to the Big East Network and Prime Sports. That same year, he became a TV analyst for the Pacers, a role he held until 2012.
Curt Gowdy Print Media Award Recipient – Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith is an esteemed sports journalist and author whose career has been dedicated to elevating women’s sports coverage. A trailblazer in the industry, Smith has written extensively on women’s basketball and other sports for ESPN, the San Francisco Chronicle, AOL Fanhouse, and ESPNw, among others.
In 1996, Smith made history as ESPN.com’s first regular women’s basketball columnist, shaping national coverage of the game. Her insightful reporting and compelling storytelling have spotlighted generations of athletes, coaches, and programs, contributing to the growth and visibility of women’s sports. Smith’s most notable accomplishments include her annual coverage of the Women’s Final Four basketball tournament for various outlets, including ESPN, The Next, and the WNBA. She has also penned four children’s books that have introduced young readers around the country to top female athletes and their inspiring stories.
In 2015, she was inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame, was the 2017 recipient of the Jake Wade Media Award from the Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA), and was the Mel Greenberg Media Award winner by the WBCA in 2019. Smith was also inducted into the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Hall of Fame in 2024.
Smith currently serves as the Senior Director of Media Relations at her alma mater, San Jose State University.
Curt Gowdy Insight Award Recipient – Adrian Wojnarowski
Adrian Wojnarowski was a prominent sports journalist best known for his unparalleled NBA coverage and breaking news scoops, earning him the nickname “Woj.” Wojnarowski began his career as a senior in high school, working for the Hartford Courant and continuing during his college breaks. In 1989, while attending St. Bonaventure University, he began interning with the Olean Times Herald, where the sports department tasked him with writing highly critical pieces about his university’s basketball team. After graduating from college, he wrote for smaller newspapers before becoming a columnist for the Fresno Bee in 1995.
In 1997, he moved to The Record in New Jersey, where he earned the Associated Press Sports Editors’ Columnist of the Year award in 1997 and 2002. During that time, his work also appeared regularly on ESPN.com. In 2006, he published his New York Times bestseller, The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball’s Most Improbable Dynasty, which further cemented his reputation as a storyteller.
In 2007, Wojnarowski left The Record and joined Yahoo! Sports, where his rapid-fire breaking news scoops, dubbed ‘Woj Bombs,’ made him an internet sensation. His speed and accuracy turned him into a highly respected figure in sports journalism, with fans eagerly awaiting his next major announcement, often reacting with “nuclear explosion” gifs.
On July 1, 2017, Wojnarowski joined ESPN, just ahead of the NBA free agency period. He made his ESPN debut on the midnight edition of SportsCenter. He went on to win three consecutive National Sportswriter of the Year awards from the National Sports Media Association (2017-19).
On September 19, 2024, Wojnarowski announced that he would step away from journalism to become the general manager of the men’s basketball team at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University, marking the end of his legendary media career.
John Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient – Jeff Twiss
Jeff Twiss is a distinguished figure in sports public relations, known for his longstanding tenure with the Boston Celtics. He began his career with the Celtics in 1981 after receiving his Master’s Degree in Sport Management at UMass Amherst and now serves as the Vice President of Media Services and Alumni Relations.
Twiss has led the Celtics PR staff through 40 post-season experiences, including nine Eastern Conference Finals appearances, seven NBA Finals appearances, and four NBA Championships (1984, ‘86, ‘08, ‘24).
Over the years, Twiss has been instrumental in shaping the team’s public image and fostering relationships with the media and alumni. In 1987, Twiss was elected by his peers to serve as President of the National Basketball Public Relations Directors Association. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Vermont in 1992 and the University of Massachusetts Sports Management Department’s Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999.
Twiss was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004, honored with the NBA’s McHugh/Splaver “Tribute to Excellence” award in 2005, and recognized by the Boston Press Photographer’s Association as the Sports Personality Award winner in 2009. On September 18, 2024, he received the International Sports Heritage Association Legacy Award.
Previous Curt Gowdy Media Award Recipients:
Print/Electronic/Transformative/Insight
1990 – Dick Herbert/Curt Gowdy
1991 – Dave Dorr/Marty Glickman
1992 – Sam Goldaper/Chick Hearn
1993 – Leonard Lewin/Johnny Most
1994 – Leonard Koppett/Cawood Ledford
1995 – Bob Hammel/Dick Enberg
1996 – Bob Hentzen/Billy Packer
1997 – Bob Ryan/Marv Albert
1998 – Larry Donald & Dick Weiss/Dick Vitale
1999 – Smith Barrier/Bob Costas
2000 – Dave Kindred/Hubie Brown
2001 – Curry Kirkpatrick/Dick Stockton
2002 – Jim O’Connell/Jim Nantz
2003 – Sid Hartman/Hot Rod Hundley
2004 – Phil Jasner/Max Falkenstien
2005 – Jack McCallum/Bill Campbell
2006 – Mark Heisler/Bill Raftery
2007 – Malcolm Moran/Al McCoy
2008 – David DuPree/Bob Wolff
2009 – Peter Vecsey/Doug Collins
2010 – Jackie MacMullan/Joe Tait
2011 – Alexander Wolff/Jim Durham
2012 – Sam Smith/Bill Schonely
2013 – John Feinstein/Eddie Doucette
2014 – Joe Gilmartin/John Andariese
2015 – Rich Clarkson/Woody Durham
2016 – David Aldridge/Jay Bilas
2017 – Harvey Araton/Craig Sager
2018 – Andy Bernstein/Doris Burke
2019 – Marc Stein/Ralph Lawler
2020 – Michael Wilbon/Mike Breen/Inside the NBA/Jim Gray
2021 – Mel Greenberg/Mike Gorman/George Kalinsky
2022 – M.A. Voepel/Walt Frazier/Dick Ebersol
2023 – Holly Rowe/Marc Spears/CBS Sports
2024 – Debbie Antonelli/J.A. Adande/”NBA Inside Stuff”/SLAM Magazine
Previous John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:
1973 – John Bunn
1974 – John Wooden
1975 – J. Walter Kennedy
1976 – Henry P. Iba
1977 – Clifford B. Fagan
1978 – Curt Gowdy
1979 – Eddie Gottlieb
1980 – Arnold “Red” Auerbach
1981 – Ray Meyer
1982 – Daniel Biasone
1983 – Robert J. Cousy
1984 – Lawrence F. O’Brien
1985 – Lee Williams
1986 – Grady W. Lewis
1987 – David R. Gavitt
1988 – Haskell Hillyard
1989 – George E. Killian
1990 – Pat Head Summitt
1991 – Morgan B. Wootten
1992 – Will Robinson
1993 – Joe Vancisin
1994 – William Wall
1995 – Pete Carlesimo
1996 – Vic Bubas
1997 – C.M. Newton
1998 – Tex Winter
1999 – Harlem Globetrotters
2000 – Meadowlark Lemon
2001 – Tom Jernstedt
2002 – Harvey Pollack
2003 – Joe O’Brien
2004 – Zelda Spoelstra
2005 – Marty Blake
2006 – Betty Jaynes
2007 – Thomas “Satch” Sanders
2008 – Val Ackerman
2009 – Johnny “Red” Kerr
2010 – Don Meyer
2011 – Brian McIntyre
2012 – Pat Williams
2013 – George Raveling
2014 – Alvin Attles
2015 – Rod Thorn
2016 – Jim Delany
2017 – Michael Goldberg
2017 – Donald “Dee” Rowe
2018 – Harley Redin & Jim Host
2019 – Del Harris & Harry Glickman
2020 – Timothy Nugent
2022 – Reggie Minton
2023 – Tom Konchalski
2024 – JoAn Scott
