If you’re a basketball coach, you may want to give out several awards at the end of your season during your team banquet. Though the MVP Award is commonly handed out by coaches, try to think of ways you can honor and praise all of the accomplishments by the members of your basketball team.
Looking for new award ideas for your basketball players? Here is a list of 50 great award ideas besides just the typical MVP award.
Our pick
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1. Hustle Award
Have a kid on your team that maybe isn’t the most talented but always works hard and shows a lot of heart? Considering giving him the Hustle Award. This player is the one that your team counts on to dive for loose balls and line up to take a charge at just the right moment! You just have to love this guy for his grit and tenacity!
2. Most Improved Award
This is the perfect honor for a player on your team that has worked his butt off to become a better basketball player. Take a look at your entire team and think about who has made the most progress since the beginning of the season. This candidate will have many endearing qualities that all coaches love!
3. Sharp Shooter Award
Have a player on your team that always seems to knock down his free throws? Does he often make a high percentage of three-point shots? Consider giving him the Sharp Shooter Award to reward his skill as a seasoned shooter.
4. Coach’s Award
Do you have a player that is a natural-born leader on the floor? A lot of times this will be a point guard that almost acts like a second coach on the court. The Coach’s Award is given to a player who has lots of integrity and charisma.
5. Best Defensive Player
This award goes to a scrappy player that loves to play solid defense all of the time. This player relishes a challenge and loves to match up man-to-man with whomever you ask him to guard. He doesn’t get intimidated if that player is bigger or taller than him.
6. Academic Athlete Award
Have a player on your team that excels in the classroom as well as on the court? Consider giving him the Academic Athlete Award to let him know you value his hard work off the court. Always be willing to recognize a student-athlete for being a hardworking student.
7. Ice Man Award
Have a player with ice water in his veins that never gets rattled? This is the perfect award for him. This player loves to have the ball in his hands with the game on the line and never shies away from clutch moments.
8. Best Rebounder
This award goes to the most skilled rebounder on your team. Most of the time it’ll go to a big man who plays a post position. This player has mastered the art of crashing the boards.
9. Best Passer
This is for the player who loves to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. The best passer on the team shows a large amount of unselfishness.
10. Sixth Man Award
This is the ideal award for your best bench player. This award is very prestigious, even in the National Basketball Association!
11. Best Dancer
All of the awards at your ceremony don’t have to be serious. Feel free to mix in plenty of funny awards as well. After big wins, have a fun dance competition to see who has the best moves!
12. Best Hair
Have a player that has great hair no matter how sweaty they get? This is the award for him!
13. Coolest Coach
Have an assistant coach that’s a great person? Consider giving them an award to let them know how much you appreciate their contribution to the team.
14. Best Singer
Hey! We know belting out songs on a long road trip is a great way to pass the time. Reward the player who has the best voice!
15. Best Attitude
This may be the most important award of them all. Think hard about this choice.
Our pick
Once you figure out which trophies you want for your players, head over here to Amazon to choose from a wide variety of custom and engravable trophies. Large selection and affordable options.
16. Best Teammate
Have a player that goes above and beyond for everyone else on the team? Consider giving them this award!
17. Pride Award
This is the ideal award for the player on your team that has the most enthusiasm. They can always be found cheering on each one of their teammates. This player is proud of their teammates and proud to be on the team!
18. Most Stylish
Have a player that is always decked out, even for long road trips? Let them know you appreciate their taste in good clothes by giving them this award.
19. Rookie of The Year
Have a player that is new to basketball or new to your team and made a big contribution? Consider making them the Rookie of the Year.
20. Heart Award
This is for the player that is always staying after to practice to work on their game. Hard work never scares this player away. This award could be given instead of the Hustle Award since they are so similar.
21. Best Sportsmanship
Reward the player who always respects the game as well as the other team with this award. This person often has the best manners on the team.
22. Heads Above The Rest
This funny award is for the tallest player on the team. Consider getting permission from the player before handing out this award.
23. Best Kicks Award
This is for the player with the best-looking shoes on the team.
24. Best Scorer
This one is pretty cut and dry. Give this one to the one on your team who has the highest total number of points at the end of the season.
25. Best Free Throw Shooter
Reward the most reliable free throw shooter on your team with this prestigious honor.
26. Top Shot Blocker
27. Best Sense of Humor Award
28. Bandit Award
Player with most steals
29. Leadership Award
30. Coach of the Year
31. Coach of the Month
32. Camel Award
Player who drinks the most water
33. Dunk of the Year
34. Character Award
35. Most Flexible
36. Determination Award
37. Most Wicked Crossover Dribble
38. Best Actor
Think a Dennis Rodman type of player.
39. Toughness Award
40. Team’s Choice Award
41. Best Team Spirit
42. Best Team Parents
43. Most Agility
44. Player of the Game
45. Prime Time Player
46. Most Dedicated
47. Monetary Awards
If you or your league can afford it, give each player a little bit of spending money.
48. Community Service Award
49. Best Mentor
50. Most Valuable Player
Think hard about which player deserves this award the most.
