DeAndre Jordan of the New Orleans Pelicans was named the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year for 2026.
DeAndre Jordan of the New Orleans Pelicans has won the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award for 2026, edging out Jrue Holiday of the Portland Trail Blazers and Jeff Green of the Houston Rockets. Jordan earned 1,445 points from 385 voting players, narrowly beating Holiday’s 1,437 and Green’s 1,420.
The honor celebrates the league’s most unselfish player, one who leads on and off the court through mentorship and teamwork. It adds to Jordan’s decorated resume, which already includes three All-NBA selections, two All-Defensive Team honors, an All-Star appearance, Olympic gold from Rio 2016, and a 2023 championship with Denver.
The finalists were chosen by a group of league executives, splitting evenly between the Eastern and Western Conferences before players cast ballots. The award specifically recognizes dedication to teammates, leadership, and a commitment to teamwork.
Created in 2013, the prize honors Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, whose bond began with the Rochester/Cincinnati Royals in the 1950s. After Stokes suffered a career-ending brain injury in 1958, Twyman became his legal guardian and lifelong advocate, setting the standard for selfless leadership.
The voting process featured 12 finalists, though only Jordan, Holiday, and Green reached the podium. Other nominees included Garrett Temple of Toronto, Pat Connaughton of Charlotte, Jalen Brunson of New York, Jayson Tatum of Boston, DeAaron Fox of San Antonio, Duncan Robinson of Detroit, Jaylin Williams of Oklahoma City, Desmond Bane of Orlando, and Marcus Smart of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The close competition highlighted the depth of unheralded contributors across the league. This year’s winner follows a long tradition of honoring players who prioritize their teams over personal accolades.
Jordan’s selection reflects his veteran influence in New Orleans, where his experience and work ethic have shaped locker room culture. The award underscores how the NBA values intangibles like selflessness and reliability as much as individual talent.
Looking ahead, the league may continue refining the nomination and voting process to ensure diverse representation. Future winners could emerge from teams with less star power but strong locker room dynamics.
For now, Jordan’s recognition serves as a reminder of the profound impact a single player can have beyond statistics and highlights.