Derrick White wins the 2025-2026 NBA Sportsmanship Award
Derrick White has just added another accolade to his already impressive résumé. The Celtics guard has been named the winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award for the 2025-2026 season, an honor given to the player who « best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court. »
This win makes the Celtics the first franchise since the Charlotte Hornets of Kemba Walker (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) to place two consecutive players atop this particular podium. Last year, it was Jrue Holiday, still wearing the green and white at the time, who claimed the Joe Dumars Trophy.
The 2025-26 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner is… Derrick White!
White receives the Joe Dumars Trophy for the annual honor that recognizes the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court. pic.twitter.com/H8xFd2WyoP
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2026
A close vote that rewards White’s consistency
The selection process was particularly competitive this year. Although White won the award with 2,826 total points, T.J. McConnell of the Pacers actually received more first-place votes (83 vs. 77). The Celtics guard made the difference through his consistency in the rankings, collecting by far the most second-place votes (113) and appearing in the top 3 on 262 ballots, compared to 217 for McConnell.
The other finalists were Harrison Barnes (Spurs), Al Horford (Warriors), Bam Adebayo (Heat), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), the latter being the only returning finalist from the previous season.
The former Spur now joins a prestigious list that includes Joe Dumars (first recipient in 1995-1996), Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Mike Conley, and Kemba Walker among past recipients. This honor caps a season in which the 30-year-old guard set personal records with 16.5 points, 5.4 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, helping the Celtics hold onto second place in the Eastern Conference despite the extended absence of Jayson Tatum.
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