Mike Budenholzer coaches an offense predicated on ball movement and assists.
Now, it’s going to cost him.
Budenholzer, the Hawks President of Basketball Operations and head coach, has pledged to donate $15 for every assist the team records during the season to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. He will make a minimum contribution of $25,000 in the Assist for Hunger program.
Last season, the Hawks totaled 2,100 assists. In his three seasons as Hawks coach, the team has averaged 25.4 assists per game.
“As I learned more about the important work that the Food Bank was doing and how dire the need was in our state, I became moved to act,” Budenholzer said in a statement. “I believe each of us can make a difference and can help to eradicate hunger right where we live. Playing unselfish basketball is a core component of our basketball culture and high assist totals are a great indicator that we are playing the right way. With the Assists for Hunger program, they will take on an even more significant meaning this season.”
The food bank distributes close to 70 million pounds of food and grocery products each year and distributes to more than 600 non-profit partner agencies with food assistance programs across 29 metro Atlanta and north Georgia counties, according to the organization.
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