The NBA announced the 2024/25 finalists for a pair of awards on Wednesday, naming the six players who are eligible to win the Sportsmanship Award for this season, as well as the 12 players who are in the running to be named Teammate of the Year.
The Sportsmanship Award honors the player who “best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court,” per the NBA. Each of the league’s 30 teams nominated one of its players for the award, then a panel of league executives narrows that group to six finalists (one from each division) and current players voted for the winner.
The trophy for the Sportsmanship Award is named after Joe Dumars, the Hall-of-Fame guard who won the inaugural award back in ’95/96. This season’s finalists are as follows (via Twitter):
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers)- Dorian Finney-Smith (Lakers)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
- Jrue Holiday (Celtics)
- Kyrie Irving (Mavericks)
- Franz Wagner (Magic)
Holiday is the only one of this year’s finalists for the Sportsmanship Award who has earned the honor in the past — he won it in 2021. Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey won the award last season.
Meanwhile, the NBA also announced its finalists for the Teammate of the Year award for 2024/25. According to the league, the player selected for the honor is “deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team.”
The voting process is similar to the Sportsmanship Award — a panel of league executives selects 12 finalists (six from each conference) for the award, then current players vote on the winner.
Holiday is a three-time Teammate of the Year, while Timberwolves guard Mike Conley has also won the award twice, including in 2024. However, neither of those veterans is a finalist this season.
The Teammate of the Year finalists are as follows (via Twitter):
- Steven Adams (Rockets)
- Nicolas Batum (Clippers)
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
- Stephen Curry (Warriors)
- Tobias Harris (Pistons)
- Al Horford (Celtics)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies)
- James Johnson (Pacers)
- DeAndre Jordan (Nuggets)
- Brook Lopez (Bucks)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)
- Jaylin Williams (Thunder)