When the lights go down at the Peacock Theater—or wherever the BET Awards happen to land in a given year—there is a specific kind of energy that you just don't get at the ESPYs. It’s "Culture's Biggest Night." And honestly? The BET Award for Sportsman of the Year is often the most debated, scrutinized, and sometimes confusing trophy of the entire evening.
If you think this is just about who had the best stats on a spreadsheet, you’ve basically missed the point.
Why the BET Award for Sportsman of the Year Hits Different
Most sports awards are clinical. They look at Player Efficiency Ratings or home run counts. But the BET Awards operate on a different frequency. This award is about impact. It's about who was "the man" in the culture over the last twelve months.
Look at the 2025 results. Jalen Hurts took home the trophy. Now, was he the only quarterback putting up numbers? Of course not. But Jalen Hurts carries a certain aura—a stoic, lead-by-example energy that resonates deeply within the Black community. He beat out a heavy-hitting roster including Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and even the "King" himself, LeBron James.
The selection usually tells a story about where our heads are at. When Stephen Curry won in 2022, it wasn't just because he got another ring; it was because he changed the literal geometry of basketball and did it with a specific kind of grace.
The LeBron James Sized Elephant in the Room
You cannot talk about this category without talking about LeBron. It's actually wild when you look at the data.
- Most Wins: LeBron James (9)
- Most Nominations: LeBron James (21)
Twenty-one nominations. Think about that. Some athletes don't even have careers that last twenty-one years. LeBron has been a fixture of this category since 2004. He has won it nearly a third of the time the award has existed.
✨ Don't miss: Archie Bunker's Place Season 1: Why the All in the Family Spin-off Was Weirder Than You Remember
But here is the nuance: LeBron didn't win in 2025. He was nominated, sure, but the hand-off to someone like Jalen Hurts feels symbolic. It’s a transition. We are watching the "Sportsman of the Year" evolution in real-time. The fans and the voting academy are starting to look toward the next generation of icons who represent more than just championships. They represent a certain vibe.
The Reggie Bush Controversy and "Average" Numbers
There’s a bit of a "secret" history with this award that people sort of gloss over. Back in 2007 and 2009, Reggie Bush was nominated.
On paper? His stats were... okay. He wasn't necessarily the best running back in the league during those specific windows. This caused a massive stir among the "stat-heads." People were genuinely annoyed that he was being ranked alongside the "best of the best" like Kobe Bryant or Tiger Woods.
But that’s the BET difference. Reggie Bush was a cultural phenomenon. He was the "it" guy. He represented a level of fame and crossover appeal that a guy with 2,000 rushing yards but zero personality might never achieve. This award is a mix of athletic dominance and relevance. If you aren't relevant in the barbershop, you probably aren't winning this.
Breaking Down the All-Time Greats
If we’re being real, the list of winners reads like a Hall of Fame induction ceremony. You’ve got the early 2000s dominated by Allen Iverson and Tiger Woods.
Iverson winning in 2001 makes perfect sense. He was the bridge between hip-hop and the NBA. He wore the braids, the tattoos, and the sleeve. He was the BET Awards. Then you hit the mid-2010s where Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant started trading blows.
🔗 Read more: Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises: What Most People Get Wrong
A Quick Look at Recent History
- 2025: Jalen Hurts (The modern leader)
- 2024: Jalen Brunson (The underdog story)
- 2023: Jalen Hurts (Back-to-back dominance)
- 2022: Stephen Curry (The golden standard)
Notice a pattern? Jalen Hurts has been a massive favorite lately. It’s not just the Philadelphia Eagles fans voting; it’s a respect for how he carries the weight of being a Black QB in a high-pressure market.
The Nominee Gauntlet: How Hard Is It to Win?
Honestly, just getting nominated is a feat. In 2025, the list was stacked. You had Aaron Judge representing MLB—which doesn't happen often—alongside Deion Sanders.
Wait, Deion? Yes. Coach Prime was nominated for Sportsman of the Year.
This is what confuses people who only watch ESPN. How can a coach be the Sportsman of the Year? Because "Coach Prime" was the biggest story in sports. He shifted the entire economy of college football toward HBCUs and then to Colorado. He was a lightning rod for conversation. That is exactly what this award measures.
Misconceptions: It’s Not Just the NBA
While it’s true that NBA players dominate (thanks to the sheer visibility of the league), the BET Award for Sportsman of the Year has a long memory for boxing and NFL stars.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. used to be a staple. Michael Vick won in 2011 after his "Redemption Season" with the Eagles. That win was huge. It wasn't about him being the "best" player in the league necessarily, but about the culture welcoming him back after his time away. It was an emotional win, not a statistical one.
💡 You might also like: America's Got Talent Transformation: Why the Show Looks So Different in 2026
What to Watch for in 2026
As we move through the 2025-2026 seasons, the landscape is shifting. We’re seeing guys like Anthony Edwards (Ant-Man) gain massive ground. He has that "it" factor that the BET audience loves—he’s funny, he’s unfiltered, and he’s incredibly talented.
Then you have the NFL stars like Saquon Barkley or maybe even a dark horse like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander if he keeps his trajectory.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Voters
If you're trying to predict who takes the stage next year, stop looking at the box scores and start looking at the social media feeds and the community impact.
- Monitor Crossover Appeal: Does the athlete have a brand outside of their jersey?
- Track Narrative Arcs: BET loves a "comeback" or a "prodigal son" story.
- Watch the "Big Games": Performance in the playoffs matters, but the post-game interview might matter more for this specific trophy.
- Community Ties: Athletes who are visible in the community or vocal about social issues always have an edge in the voting process.
The BET Award for Sportsman of the Year will continue to be a reflection of Black excellence that refuses to be confined to a scoreboard. Whether it's a quarterback in Philly or a point guard in Minneapolis, the winner will always be the man who made the culture move.
Check the official BET website during the late spring months to see the nominee rollout, as that’s usually when the debates truly begin to heat up on social media. Pay close attention to the "YoungStars" category as well, as it often serves as a preview for who will be dominating the Sportsman category five years down the line.