Celtics' Jrue Holiday wins NBA's sportsmanship award, becomes 5th player to win it more than once
Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics has been honored with the NBA's sportsmanship award for the second time, joining a select group of players who have won it multiple times. Holiday garnered approximately 34% of the first-place votes from nearly 400 current NBA players, surpassing other finalists including Cleveland's Jarrett Allen and Dallas' Kyrie Irving. Celebrated for his integrity and sportsmanship, Celtics President Brad Stevens praised Holiday for his quiet confidence, humility, and ability to inspire others through his actions both on and off the court. Besides the sportsmanship award, Holiday is a three-time Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year recipient, a two-time All-Star, and a finalist for the NBA's Social Justice Champion Award. The NBA continues to announce various other awards, with notable winners so far including Stephen Curry for teammate of the year and Draymond Green for the hustle award, while more prestigious accolades like MVP and coach of the year are yet to be revealed.
Jrue Holiday has been awarded the NBA's sportsmanship honor for the second time, becoming one of only five players in NBA history to achieve this more than once. He received about 34% of the first-place votes from nearly 400 current NBA players.
The finalists for the sportsmanship award included Cleveland's Jarrett Allen, who finished second, followed by Dallas' Kyrie Irving, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Los Angeles Lakers' Dorian Finney-Smith, and Orlando's Franz Wagner.
Celtics President Brad Stevens highlighted Holiday's embodiment of sportsmanship through his quiet confidence, humility, and respect for competition, noting his profound impact on teammates and his exemplary conduct both on and off the court.
Apart from the sportsmanship award, Holiday has received the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year honor three times and is a finalist for the NBA's Social Justice Champion Award, demonstrating his broad influence and commitment to social causes.
The NBA has been rolling out several awards this season, including Stephen Curry's recognition as teammate of the year and Draymond Green's hustle award, with more high-profile awards such as MVP and coach of the year pending announcement.
Holiday is also recognized for his athletic achievements, being a two-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a six-time All-Defensive team selection, showcasing his versatility and excellence in basketball.
The sportsmanship award, accompanied by the Joe Dumars Trophy, is among the eight awards announced by the NBA after the regular season, reflecting the league's commitment to honoring players for their contributions beyond just on-court performance.