Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday wins NBA Sportsmanship Award

June 4 (UPI) -- Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday has earned the Joe Dumars Trophy as the winner of the 2020-21 NBA Sportsmanship Award, the league announced Friday.

"It means a lot," Holiday said after receiving the award, which is given to the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court. "Just knowing that it came from the players, the guys that go through this with me and put their bodies on the line, train in the off-season, it means a lot."

Holiday, who received 130 of a possible 343 first-place votes in balloting of players around the league, was one of six finalists for the honor. The finalists were selected by a panel of league executives after each team nominated a single player.

The other finalists were: Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo; Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes; San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie.

"It's hard to put all the adjectives into one sentence," Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said of Holiday. "He's just thoughtful, considerate, deep thinking, but plays the game the right way and has a toughness and a realness about him. ... Players around the league just respect the way he handles himself.

"Great poise. Great character. He's all about winning. ... The guy just makes a difference, and players around the league recognize that and appreciate that and have honored him. It's special."

The 30-year-old Holiday averaged 17.7 points, 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 59 games this season. The Bucks acquired him from the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a four-team trade in late November.

Holiday won the Twyman-Stokes Award as the NBA's best teammate last year. Portland Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard was given that honor for the 2020-21 season Thursday night.

NBA Sportsmanship Award voting results:

1. Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks) - 2,752 points

2. Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics) - 2,474 points

3. Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) - 2,199 points

4. Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings) - 2,008 points

5. Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs) - 1,635 points

6. Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves) - 1,280 points