NBA News: Trae Young Cancels $1M Worth Of Hospital Debts Of Atlanta Residents

Atlanta star guard Trae Young may have made the biggest assist in his young NBA career.

The Hawks’ rising star teamed up with RIP Medical Debt, an organization that helps to pay unpaid medical debts, and canceled over $1 million of medical debts to help families in Atlanta who are struggling to pay their debts.

In the organization’s official release, the former Oklahoma Sooner donated $10,000 through Trae Young Foundation, which equates to $1,059,186.39 of debt. The amount will benefit 570 people, particularly in Atlanta. On the RIP Medical Debt’s home page, every $10,000 worth of unsettled bills is being paid for every $100 that is being donated by their donors.

The former fifth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft made the assist to give back to the community that welcomed him to the league. “The city of Atlanta has welcomed me with open arms,” said the 21-year old Young. “Giving back to this community is extremely important to me. I hope these families can find a bit of relief knowing that their bills have been taken care of as we enter the New Year.”

The organization’s beneficiaries are those that earn less than twice the federal poverty level, debts are more than five percent of annual income, and those whose debts are greater than their assets.

The runner-up for last year’s rookie of the year race posted to social media and credited the Hawks organization for bringing him to the situation he’s in.

On their game following the donation, Young, the leading vote-getter for the Eastern Conference’s guards for the upcoming NBA All-Stars, scored a triple-double in their 122-115 loss to the Houston Rockets at home. He wounded 42 points, including 16-of-18 from the free-throw line, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and a block in 39 minutes.

The loss gave the Hawks their 30^th loss in 39 outings, just half a game away from last year’s runner up Golden State Warriors at the bottom of the standings. They may not be doing well to start the season but more than the wins and losses of the team, Young’s contribution to the city is still something to talk about.