The 2025 ESPYS are Wednesday, July 16 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
Among the many awards that will be handed out is Best NBA Player. This year’s nominees are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum
The 2025 NBA MVP and Finals MVP led the Thunder to their first championship in franchise history. Jokic earned his second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection. Antetokounmpo finished third in MVP voting behind SGA and Jokic, and Tatum was also named to the All-NBA First Team.
SGA securing league MVP honors means he’s a lock to be named the Best NBA Player at the ESPYS, right? Not quite.
Since the ESPYS began in 1993, there have been times when the NBA’s MVP has also been named the Best NBA Player at the ESPYS, but it doesn’t always happen. In fact, it’s more likely that the MVP is not named the Best NBA Player.
Here’s a look at the history of the Best NBA Player Award at the ESPYS
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ESPYS Best NBA Player compared to MVP
Since the ESPYS began in 1993, LeBron James has been named the Best NBA Player seven times. The only other player who has earned the honor more than twice is Michael Jordan (4).
James has won four MVP awards during that time, giving him more MVP trophies than any other player since 1993.
Here’s the complete list of NBA MVP winners compared to the Best NBA Player winners at the ESPYS:
| Year | NBA MVP | Best NBA Player ESPY Award |
| 1993 | Charles Barkley | Michael Jordan |
| 1994 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Charles Barkley |
| 1995 | David Robinson | Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1996 | Michael Jordan | Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1997 | Karl Malone | Michael Jordan |
| 1998 | Michael Jordan | Michael Jordan |
| 1999 | Karl Malone | Michael Jordan |
| 2000 | Shaquille O’Neal | Tim Duncan |
| 2001 | Allen Iverson | Shaquille O’Neal |
| 2002 | Tim Duncan | Shaquille O’Neal |
| 2003 | Tim Duncan | Tim Duncan |
| 2004 | Kevin Garnett | Kevin Garnett |
| 2005 | Steve Nash | Steve Nash |
| 2006 | Steve Nash | Dwyane Wade |
| 2007 | Dirk Nowitzki | LeBron James |
| 2008 | Kobe Bryant | Kobe Bryant |
| 2009 | LeBron James | LeBron James |
| 2010 | LeBron James | Kobe Bryant |
| 2011 | Derrick Rose | Dirk Nowitzki |
| 2012 | LeBron James | LeBron James |
| 2013 | LeBron James | LeBron James |
| 2014 | Kevin Durant | Kevin Durant |
| 2015 | Stephen Curry | Stephen Curry |
| 2016 | Stephen Curry | LeBron James |
| 2017 | Russell Westbrook | LeBron James |
| 2018 | James Harden | LeBron James |
| 2019 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2020 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Not awarded (COVID-19) |
| 2021 | Nikola Jokic | Stephen Curry |
| 2022 | Nikola Jokic | Stephen Curry |
| 2023 | Joel Embiid | Nikola Jokic |
| 2024 | Nikola Jokic | Luka Doncic |
MORE: What does ESPY stand for? Explaining the meaning behind ESPN’s awards
Who votes for the ESPYS?
The ESPYS are voted on by fans at ESPN.com/ESPYS. The 2025 ESPYS will take place at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 16. The show will air on ABC.
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