NBA: Chauncey Billups to be honored with first Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award

LA Clipper Chauncey Billups is set to be the first NBA player to be honored with the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears tweeted out.

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups is the first winner of the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, Y! Sports has learned.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) June 9, 2013

The award is named after Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, teammates on the Cincinnati Royals. Twyman became Stokes' legal guardian after the latter became permanently paralyzed after hitting his head and falling into a coma during a game. He also organized annual charity basketball games to help pay for Stokes' expenses.

The two were later enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame (Stokes in 2004, Twyman in 1983).

The award was voted on by NBA players off a list of 12 nominees, compiled by "a panel of NBA Legends according to selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players and his commitment and dedication to his team."

The other finalists for the award included Brooklyn Net Jerry Stackhouse, Cleveland Cavalier Luke Walton, Denver Nugget Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warrior Jarret Jack, Indiana Pacer Roy Hibbert, Miami Heat Shane Battier, New Orleans Hornet Roger Mason Jr., New York Knick Jason Kidd, Oklahoma City Thunder Serge Ibaka, San Antonio Spur Manu Ginobili, and Washington Wizard Emeka Okafor.

The award will be presented prior to game two of the 2013 NBA Finals. - AMD, GMA News