About the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award
The Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award is
presented annually to the NBA player considered the league's best
teammate. The award recognizes selfless play, leadership on and off the
court, mentorship, service as a role model to other NBA players and
commitment to the team.
The award was introduced during the 2012-13 season,
with Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups
becoming its first recipient.
The award is named in honor of former Cincinnati Royals teammates
Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes.
Their friendship became one of the most remarkable stories in
professional basketball history after Stokes suffered a devastating
brain injury near the end of the 1957-58 season.
Twyman became Stokes' legal guardian and helped care for and support his
former teammate for the remainder of Stokes' life. The award recognizes
the values of friendship, loyalty and commitment represented by their
relationship.
NBA Teammate of the Year Winners
| Season |
Player |
Position |
Team |
| 2025-26 |
DeAndre Jordan |
Center |
New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2024-25 |
Stephen Curry |
Guard |
Golden State Warriors |
| 2023-24 |
Mike Conley |
Guard |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2022-23 |
Jrue Holiday |
Guard |
Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2021-22 |
Jrue Holiday |
Guard |
Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2020-21 |
Damian Lillard |
Guard |
Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2019-20 |
Jrue Holiday |
Guard |
New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2018-19 |
Mike Conley |
Guard |
Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2017-18 |
Jamal Crawford |
Guard |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2016-17 |
Dirk Nowitzki |
Forward |
Dallas Mavericks |
| 2015-16 |
Vince Carter |
Guard/Forward |
Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2014-15 |
Tim Duncan |
Forward/Center |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 2013-14 |
Shane Battier |
Forward |
Miami Heat |
| 2012-13 |
Chauncey Billups |
Guard |
Los Angeles Clippers |
Teammate of the Year Award Facts
-
Chauncey Billups was the first winner of the
Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award in 2012-13.
-
The award is named for Hall of Famers Jack Twyman and
Maurice Stokes, teammates with the
Rochester/Cincinnati Royals from 1955 through 1958.
-
After Stokes suffered a debilitating brain injury, Twyman became his
legal guardian and lifelong advocate.
-
Jrue Holiday became the first player to win the award
three times, earning it in 2019-20, 2021-22 and 2022-23.
-
Holiday was also the first player to win the award in consecutive
seasons, doing so with Milwaukee in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
-
Mike Conley has won the award twice, with Memphis in
2018-19 and Minnesota in 2023-24.
-
Stephen Curry became the Golden State Warriors' first
winner when he received the award for the 2024-25 season.
-
DeAndre Jordan won the 2025-26 award as a member of
the New Orleans Pelicans, earning the honor for the first time in his
career.
How the Award Is Selected
A panel of NBA executives selects 12 finalists for the
award, consisting of six players from each conference. Current NBA
players then vote among the finalists to determine the winner.
The voting criteria focus on a player's selfless play, leadership,
mentorship, role as an example to other players and commitment and
dedication to his team.
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