Tyrese Maxey added another award to his spectacular fourth season on Thursday.
The 23-year-old Sixers guard received the Joe Dumars Trophy, the NBA Sportsmanship Award winner that "honors the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court."
Before Maxey, Eric Snow (1999-2000) was the only Sixer to win the award since the 1995-96 season. Sixers general manager Elton Brand won the award in 2005-06 as a member of the Clippers.
To select the Sportsmanship Award, all 30 teams nominate one player. A panel of league executives then selects one nominee from each of the NBA's six divisions and the players vote for the winner. Miami's Kevin Love finished second and Cleveland's Jarrett Allen third. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , Harrison Barnes and Tre Jones were the other finalists.
Maxey's parents Denyse and Tyrone told him the news.
Maxey has often emphasized the influence of his parents, including after he was named Most Improved Player when he expressed his father's attitude that "proper preparation prevents underperformance". The first-time All-Star often said his mother helped him get through tough defeats and difficult moments.
"This means a lot," Maxey said after receiving his award from his father. "Sportsmanship means a lot to me. I know I go out there and play hard, but I still respect all my teammates and all my opponents. ... You guys have taught me a lot too. You all taught me how to play the game I love with a lot of passion. But at the end of the day, win, lose or draw, you have to respect your opponents and the players you play against."
