Jrue Holiday Wins 2024-25 NBA Sportsmanship Award over Kyrie Irving, SGA, More

Nobody in the NBA demonstrated sportsmanship better than Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday this season.

Holiday won the 2024-25 NBA Sportsmanship Award on Thursday, which marked the second time he has taken home the award in his career:

Last month, the league announced the finalists for the award were Holiday, Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dorian Finney-Smith of the Los Angeles Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks and Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic.

The league's announcement explained the award goes to "the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court."

There were six finalists so all six divisions would be represented.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey won the award last season.

While Holiday is a two-time champion, six-time All-Defensive selection and two-time All-Star selection on the court, he is also known for his philanthropy and willingness to give back to various communities off it. 

He and his wife Lauren, who won a World Cup and two Olympic gold medals with the United States women's national team, started the Jrue & Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund to demonstrate "their commitment by supporting a variety of initiatives focused on driving equitable outcomes for Black and Brown communities."

The fund works with nonprofits, educational institutions and initiatives to create change and growth across different communities.

Holiday undoubtedly takes his approach of lifting others seriously on the court as well, as evidenced by a second NBA Sportsmanship Award in his career.

Now he will look to add yet another trophy to his collection as the Celtics chase a second consecutive championship. They defeated the Magic in the first round and will play the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons in the second.