Phoenix Suns Charities is now taking nominations for its annual Spirit of Cotton Award which honors a deserving boys or girls basketball coach in Arizona.

The award recognizes a high school basketball coach who consistently demonstrates the best qualities of coach, educator, mentor and community leader. All high school head basketball coaches are eligible to be nominated. Nominations can be made by a community member, fellow coach, teacher, school administrator or student-athlete. The Spirit of Cotton Award winner receives a Phoenix Suns Charities grant of $10,000 for use in that school's athletic program and a commemorative plaque and ring.

Nominations are being accepted through March 9, 2012. To download a nomination form visit SunsCharities.org. The winner wil be announced at the Suns regular-season home finale against San Antonio on April 25. The award honors the memory of former Suns head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, who passed away in July 2004.

Previous Spirit of Cotton Award recipients include Byron Maynes (Salome); David Lopez (St. Mary's); Howard Mueller (Greenway); Gary Ernst (Mesa Mountain View) and Karen Self (Seton Catholic).