Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Headlines 2023-24 NBA Sportsmanship Award Finalists

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey are among the eight finalists for the 2023-24 NBA Sportsmanship Award.

The NBA announced the finalists Tuesday:

The NBA launched its Sportsmanship Award in 1995. Mike Conley is the reigning award winner and is the only four-time winner in league history. Grant Hill, Jason Kidd and Kemba Walker are the only other players with multiple wins.

None of the players nominated for 2023-24 have won a Sportsmanship Award before. Gilgeous-Alexander would be the first in Thunder franchise history, though a pair of Seattle SuperSonics won the award before the team relocated to Oklahoma City.

Winners have largely trended toward veterans over younger players. Stephen Curry (22) and Luol Deng (21) are the only players younger than the age of 26 to receive the honor. Gilgeous-Alexander (25), Maxey (23), Tre Jones (24) and Jarrett Allen (turns 26 on April 21) would all rank among the youngest players in history.

In that sense, veterans Kevin Love (35) and Harrison Barnes (31) should be seen as the favorites.