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Maurice Stokes
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Maurice Stokes

American basketball player
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Maurice Stokes was an American professional basketball player who was a six-time NBA All-Star. He is perhaps best remembered for the support he provided to his teammate, Jack Twyman, after Stokes suffered a career-ending injury. In 1958, Stokes fell and struck his head, leading to a diagnosis of posttraumatic encephalopathy. He became virtually immobile and bedridden for the rest of his life.

When Stokes's family could no longer afford his medical bills, Twyman stepped in. He secured workmen's compensation benefits for Stokes and was appointed his legal guardian. Twyman dedicated countless hours to Stokes's care, teaching him to communicate by blinking his eyes. This act of compassion, at a time of prevalent segregation, garnered worldwide goodwill and inspired the creation of the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award in the NBA.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Jack Twyman
  2. Carl Stokes

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