SAN ANTONIO – In a remarkable achievement, San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year. This prestigious accolade, awarded on Wednesday, highlights Johnson’s outstanding performance throughout the season.
Johnson secured the honor with an impressive 63 first-place votes, outpacing Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez, Jr., who received 34 first-place votes. Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. finished third in the voting but did not receive any first-place nods.
The Spurs’ depth was evident this season, as rookie guard Dylan Harper earned two third-place votes and finished in 11th place overall, underscoring the team’s formidable bench strength.
With this achievement, Johnson joins the ranks of Spurs legend Manu Ginobili, who won the Sixth Man of the Year award during the 2007-08 season, making him the second player in Spurs history to earn this recognition.
This season, Johnson made history by scoring a franchise-record 1,081 points off the bench, surpassing Ginobili’s previous record of 927 points in his award-winning season.
A global panel of 100 media members recognized Johnson’s efforts in selecting him as this year’s winner. Over the course of the regular season, he averaged 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, marking his best season as a reserve player.
Previously a starter in four of his first five seasons with the Spurs, Johnson transitioned to a reserve role due to various roster changes, a move he has embraced wholeheartedly.
Now in his seventh NBA season, Johnson stands as the longest-tenured active member of the Spurs. His teammates affectionately refer to him as the “heart and soul” of the team, a testament to his leadership and dedication.
In a remarkable display of durability and commitment, Johnson was the only bench player to participate in all 82 regular season games this year.
Johnson is the second Spur to receive an end-of-season NBA award in the 2025-26 season, following Victor Wembanyama, who recently captured the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award.
