Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

How NBA and WNBA Players Performed at the ESPY Awards 2025? Full Awards Recap

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simone Biles took home the top honors as Caitlin Clark missed the event due to commitments

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The ESPY awards are one of the most recognized when it comes to the sporting world in the U.S. The 2025 ESPY awards were held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday evening.

Simone Biles stole the spotlight after clinching the Best Female Athlete award for her dominant three-gold performance at the Paris Olympics. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named Best Male Athlete after an extraordinary season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

SGA beat top names to win the award after a historic season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The guard averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds with a field goal percentage of 51.9. He also managed to win the NBA Title and the MVP award.

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER WINS THE ESPY AWARD FOR BEST ATHLETE: MEN'S SPORTS! 🇨🇦🏆 pic.twitter.com/5cl4WOSHb0
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 17, 2025

Caitlin Clark won the WNBA Player award, following a historic rookie year that shattered viewership and merchandise records. However, her sophomore campaign in the WNBA has started on a bumpy note, marked by inconsistent performances and injury concerns.

The 23-year-old guard missed the event due to ongoing team obligations with the Indiana Fever. Oscar Robertson was given the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. The Icon Award was shared between Diana Taurasi and Alex Morgan. Diana Taurasi retired from the WNBA after the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Category	Winner	Highlights
Best Male Athlete	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Led OKC Thunder to a standout NBA season
Best Female Athlete	Simone Biles	Dominated Paris Olympics with 3 golds
Best Team	Philadelphia Eagles	Super Bowl champs, beat Kansas City Chiefs
Best Championship Performance	Simone Biles	Her Olympic comeback was legendary
Best Comeback Athlete	Suni Lee	Returned to gymnastics after kidney illness
Best Breakthrough Athlete	Ilona Maher	Rugby star finally got her ESPY moment
Best Play	Saquon Barkley’s backwards hurdle	Iconic Super Bowl move for the Eagles
Best WNBA Player	Caitlin Clark	Shined in her rookie season with Indiana Fever

NFL’s Top Team Earns ESPY Recognition

The Philadelphia Eagles won the award for the Best Team. They had one of the perfect NFL seasons, finishing first in the NFC East with 14 wins and three losses. The Eagles went on to beat the Green Bay Packers by 22-10 in the NFL Wild Card Round.

They then won the NFL Conference Championship match against the Washington Commanders by 55-23. The Philadelphia Eagles steamrolled the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a commanding Super Bowl performance.

Eagles’ Saquon Barkley won the Best Play award for the backwards hurdle. It was an iconic Super Bowl move for the Philadelphia side.