The Magic Johnson Award is an annual award for a National Basketball Association (NBA) player who recognizes excellence on the court and cooperation and dignity with the media and public. [1]
The award, which was created in 2001 by the Pro Basketball Writers Association a professional nonprofit organization comprised approximately 175 writers and editors of people who regularly cover the NBA for newspapers, magazines and websites has been given to some of the league's most prominent players over the years. It is named in honor of player Magic Johnson, whom the writers association regards as "the ideal model" for this award. [2]
Ray Allen was the inaugural recipient of the award. Shane Battier, Damian Lillard, and Stephen Curry are the only players to win the award multiple times. The most recent winner of the award is Stephen Curry, in 2024.
| Year | Player | Team | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ray Allen | Milwaukee Bucks | [3] |
| 2002 | Elton Brand | Los Angeles Clippers | [3] |
| 2003 | Jalen Rose | Chicago Bulls | [3] |
| 2004 | Jermaine O'Neal | Indiana Pacers | [3] |
| 2005 | Antawn Jamison | Washington Wizards | [3] |
| 2006 | Grant Hill | Orlando Magic | [3] |
| 2007 | Shane Battier | Houston Rockets | [3] |
| 2008 | Derek Fisher | Los Angeles Lakers | [3] |
| 2009 | Brandon Roy | Portland Trail Blazers | [3] |
| 2010 | Chris Bosh | Toronto Raptors | [3] |
| 2011 | Kevin Durant | Oklahoma City Thunder | [3] |
| 2012 | Steve Nash | Phoenix Suns | [3] |
| 2013 | Shane Battier (2) | Miami Heat | [3] |
| 2014 | Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks | [3] |
| 2015 | Pau Gasol | Chicago Bulls | [3] |
| 2016 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | [3] |
| 2017 | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers | [3] |
| 2018 | DeMar DeRozan | Toronto Raptors | [3] |
| 2019 | Dwyane Wade | Miami Heat | [3] |
| 2020 | Damian Lillard (2) | Portland Trail Blazers | [3] |
| 2021 | Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2022 | Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2023 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | [3] |
| 2024 | Stephen Curry (2) | Golden State Warriors | [3] |
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