Victor Wembanyama Honored with Magic Johnson Award

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been honored with the Magic Johnson Award for the 2025-26 season, the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) announced. This prestigious award is presented to an NBA player who best combines exceptional on-court performance with responsiveness and respect in their interactions with the media and fans.

This marks Wembanyama's first time receiving the accolade. This season, the French center averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game, earning his second All-Star selection. Off the court, Wembanyama consistently fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect and openness with reporters covering the NBA.

“Victor Wembanyama fully embodies the spirit of this award – a superstar who is as thoughtful and engaging off the court as he is dominant on it,” stated PBWA President Howard Beck. “He is responsive, gracious, and patient with reporters, willing to discuss almost any topic – from the MVP race to social justice and the Northern Lights. As one of our members put it, Victor is ‘a deep thinker who understands the power of his words.’”

Beck added: “Even with the immense attention and expectations he faces daily, Victor consistently approaches his interviews with enthusiasm and a sense of humor. The day before he was drafted in 2023, Victor stated his goal was to be the best in ‘all aspects of the job,’ including ‘the best with the media and in press conferences.’ As on the court, he has more than delivered on his promise.”

Wembanyama is the first Spurs player to win the award, and at 22 years old, he is the youngest recipient since Kevin Durant (also 22) in 2011.

Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers finished second in the voting for the second consecutive year. Other finalists, nominated by PBWA members, included Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. The winner was selected through a vote of all association members.

Established in 2001, the award is named after Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar who was consistently engaging, thoughtful, and gracious with the media throughout his illustrious career.

Each year, the PBWA also recognizes an NBA PR team (the Brian McIntyre Award) and a coach (the Rudy Tomjanovich Award) who demonstrate outstanding efforts in working with the media and informing fans. Under the association's current rules, adopted in 2020, no team or individual can win an award in two consecutive years.

The Professional Basketball Writers Association comprises over 200 journalists and editors who regularly cover the NBA and WNBA for newspapers, magazines, and online media.

Previous Magic Johnson Award winners include: Ray Allen, Elton Brand, Jalen Rose, Jermaine O'Neal, Antawn Jamison, Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Derek Fisher, Brandon Roy, Chris Bosh, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, DeMar DeRozan, Dwyane Wade, Damian Lillard (again), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry (again), Kevin Durant (again).