Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade Among J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Finalists

The Professional Basketball Writers Association has announced the five finalists for the 2017-18 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. 

Per the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds, the list of finalists includes Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, Carmelo Anthony of the Oklahoma City Thunder and J.J. Barea of the Dallas Mavericks. 

The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award has been given out by the PBWA every year since 1975. It is given to the player, coach or trainer who makes the biggest impact and service to the community. 

For instance, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James won the award last year, in part for opening a new public school in Akron, Ohio, to provide young students at risk of being left behind an opportunity to continue their education. 

Among this year's finalists for the award, Barea has helped lead relief efforts in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. 

In November, Durant announced a $10 million investment in the Durant Center that will help kids from the Prince George area in Washington D.C. attend college.

There is no official date for the winner to be named, though past winners have been announced in late April and early May during the NBA postseason.