ESPYs 2026 award winners highlights and top – “`html
2026 ESPY Awards: New York Hosts Celebrations of Athletic Excellence
Wednesday evening marked the return of ESPN’s prestigious sports recognition ceremony, with this year’s edition finding a new home in the cultural heart of Manhattan. The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center welcomed celebrities, athletes, and musicians who came together to honor outstanding achievements from the previous twelve months. Comedian Marcello Hernandez guided viewers through the evening’s presentations, bringing his characteristic warmth to the traditionally Los Angeles-based event.
Knicks Capture Top Honors in Historic Night
New York’s basketball franchise experienced what many considered the pinnacle of their season when they received the Best Team designation. This victory represented the first time an NBA organization has claimed the honor since the Golden State Warriors achieved the distinction in 2022. The championship run culminated in a decisive four-to-one series triumph over the San Antonio Spurs, led by French sensation Victor Wembanyama. This championship marked the franchise’s first NBA title in half a century, ending a fifty-three-year drought.
Individual accolades piled up for the championship squad. Jalen Brunson emerged as the evening’s most decorated player, collecting three separate awards throughout the ceremony. The point guard had already secured recognition for Best NBA Player and Best Championship Performance before receiving the top honor of the night: Best Male Athlete. Brunson’s achievement made him the second straight basketball player to receive this distinction, following Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s victory in 2025. Meanwhile, OG Anunoby earned his own ESPY for a spectacular Game 4 tip-in that proved instrumental in completing a remarkable twenty-nine-point comeback victory.
Caitlin Clark Continues Dominance
On the women’s side, Caitlin Clark secured her second ESPY for Best Female Athlete, adding to her 2024 victory. This achievement represents the third time within four years that the Las Vegas Aces star has received this particular honor, with Caitlin Clark’s 2025 win being the sole exception. Through twenty-two games in the 2026 WNBA season, Clark has maintained impressive averages of twenty-five and a half points, nine and eight-tenths rebounds, and two and nine-tenths assists per contest.
Posthumous Honors and Special Recognitions
The ceremony paid tribute to several individuals whose contributions extended beyond athletic performance. Jason Collins received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage in a moving posthumous presentation. His twin brother, Jarron Collins, accepted the honor on his behalf. Collins made history as the NBA’s first openly gay player when he came out in May 2013. He concluded his thirteen-year professional career with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2014 season, appearing in seven hundred and thirty-five games while averaging three and six-tenths points, three and seven-tenths rebounds, and nine-tenths assists per game. Collins passed away on May 12, 2026, at the age of forty-seven after battling stage four glioblastoma.
Scott Ruskan, a United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer, received the Pat Tillman Award for Service following his heroic efforts saving campers trapped during devastating Texas flooding at Camp Mystic. Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, recognizing his inspirational journey through life and career challenges.
Entertainment Highlights
The musical portion of the evening featured De La Soul, who performed their 2025 release “Run It Back” to the audience. The Long Island-born duo had previously told USA TODAY Sports that they sensed the city’s vibrant energy from multiple events including the Knicks’ championship run and the World Cup. However, the theater crowd offered a more reserved response compared to the enthusiastic standing ovations given to other performers like Ghostface Killah. The group missed Jay-Z’s celebrated three-night Yankee Stadium run, as they were simultaneously touring for their own concert series.
Another notable moment came when NFL defensive end Myles Garrett received his award for breaking the single-season sack record. Garrett accumulated twenty-three sacks during the 2026 campaign, surpassing the previous mark of twenty-two and a half shared by T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan. The presentation was made by Garrett’s girlfriend, Olympic medalist Chloe Kim, alongside comedian Tiffany Haddish.
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