TITLE: NBA unveils 2025/26 finalists for Sportsmanship and Teammate of the Year honors
SLUG: nba-finalists-2025-26-sportsmanship-teammate-awards
CONTENT:
The NBA on Tuesday released the shortlists for two of its annual accolades, naming six candidates for the Joe Dumars Sportsmanship Award and 12 contenders for the Teammate of the Year award for the 2025/26 season.
Sportsmanship Award finalists
The Sportsmanship Award recognizes the player who best exemplifies fair play and integrity on the court. Each of the league’s 30 clubs nominates one player, after which a panel of NBA executives trims the pool to one representative from each division. Current players will vote to determine the winner of the Joe Dumars Trophy.
This season’s six finalists are:
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
- Al Horford, Golden State Warriors
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers
- Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Gilgeous-Alexander is the lone repeat finalist from last year. The eventual winner will claim the award for the first time, succeeding 2024/25 recipient Jrue Holiday.
Teammate of the Year finalists
The Teammate of the Year honor is presented to the player who demonstrates selfless play, leadership, and dedication both on and off the court. Following the same selection format, league executives choose 12 finalists—six from each conference—before players cast the deciding votes.
This season’s 12 finalists are:
- Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Pat Connaughton, Charlotte Hornets
- De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
- Jeff Green, Houston Rockets
- Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers
- DeAndre Jordan, New Orleans Pelicans
- Duncan Robinson, Detroit Pistons
- Marcus Smart, Los Angeles Lakers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Garrett Temple, Toronto Raptors
- Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Holiday, who earned Teammate of the Year in 2020, 2022, and 2023, is the only past winner among this year’s nominees.
Winners of both awards will be determined by active NBA players and announced later in the season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
