Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylin Williams Named Finalists for Prestigious Awards

Although the race for MVP is the talk of the town regarding accolades, Oklahoma City received two nominations for other prestigious trophies on March 31.   

First, Jaylin Williams was named one of the twelve finalists for the 2025-26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award. According to the league’s definition, the award “recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on and off the court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to their team.”

The former second-round pick embodies the spirit of this honor because he is always the first player to support his teammates. Williams’ unlimited energy and infectious smile keep the locker room vibes stable and deter even a whiff of discontent. 

Williams also places the team’s success above his individual aspirations. He averages 13.3 points, 10 rebounds and 4.4 assists per 36 minutes and is talented enough to start on some teams. However, he's happy to come off the bench and play a reduced role because of Chet Holmgren's and Isaiah Hartenstein's heavy usage. Here is what Williams had to say when asked about getting more minutes on a different team. 

His outlook is crucial because it inspires his teammates to buy into the Thunder’s culture, especially role players who receive inconsistent minutes. Kenrich Williams also deserves a shoutout because his leadership in this department is also impactful. 

Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named one of the six finalists for the 2025-26 NBA Sportsmanship Award. The award “recognizes the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.”

Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the few superstars who rarely whines or complains to the refs after not getting a whistle, and he almost never loses his temper or berates players, officials or fans. Rather, Gilgeous-Alexander goes about his business with a grin on his face and clearly loves basketball and competition. There is no scandal or blemish on or off the court. He's the perfect superstar to build a team around. 

Overall, the winner of these two awards will be voted on by current NBA players and announced sometime during the playoffs in April or May. It's an atypical process since most awards are voted on by the media, but it's logical because players are far more qualified to vote on these specific awards. 

Here are the other finalists for each honor: 

2025-26 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award

2025-26 NBA Sportsmanship Award