Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame member John Kline has been named one of the 2011 winners of The Mannie Jackson - Basketball's Human Spirit Award.

Joining Kline are New York Knicks guard Chauncey Billups, and The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

The winners will be recognized on August 11 during events leading up to the 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies. Click here for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Release.

“We are delighted to honor such a remarkable group for their contributions to the basketball community with The Mannie Jackson, Basketball's Human Spirit Award,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “This year's recipients have truly made a measurable impact through their selflessness, leadership and determination in the communities and constituencies they serve.”

The criteria for award winners includes embracing the core values of the game through hard work, dedication, and resilience; striving to continuously improve the community they serve, and making an ongoing commitment to others. Beyond the game, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson's life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for personal actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.

Billups, The V Foundation and Kline were chosen from a group of six finalists after nominations were screened by a selection committee, appointed by the Hall of Fame and Mr. Jackson. Beginning in 2009, the finalists were grouped in three categories, representing the professional, amateur and grassroots levels of basketball.

Previous winners of the award include former Georgetown University center and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo; Hall of Famers David Robinson and Jim Boeheim; Philadelphia legend Sonny Hill; current NBA player Samuel Dalembert; and 2009 tri-winners, former NBA official Ken Hudson, Hall of Famer Bob Lanier and former NBA All-Star and Georgetown standout Alonzo Mourning.

Representing the Grassroots ranks:

Dr. John “Jumpin' Johnny” Kline, Former Harlem Globetrotter – As a member of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1950s, Kline was one of the original ambassadors in the game of basketball. The All-American was the 1952 Athlete of the Year at Wayne State University and a finalist in the United States Olympic trials for track before he joined the Globetrotters. During the 1960s, he fell into nine years of drug and alcohol addiction, however, he pushed himself to return to Wayne State where he earned his Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. degrees in history and philosophy of education. He started his own company on health promotion and wellness and was appointed by Detroit's Mayor as Director of Drug Prevention Services where he served for seven years. He became the Director of Drug Free Schools and Communities for the Detroit Public Schools. In 1986, Dr. Kline developed the Youth Athletic Enrichment Program (YAEP) in Detroit's Middle Schools. This after-school educational program is successful and continues today. He also founded The Black Legends of Basketball in 1996, an organization that recognizes pioneers in the game of basketball.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.