The nominees for the 2026 ESPYs are out, with New York Knicks hero Jalen Brunson leading a crowded lineup of sports stars for this year’s installment of the award show.
Brunson is nominated in the best athlete: men’s sports category alongside Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani, and Matthew Stafford. Ohtani is actually nominated in three categories, including best single-game performance, and best MLB player.
Brunson is also nominated for best championship performance, with the Knicks also nominated for best team.
The Best athlete: women’s sports category, includes Hilary Knight, Nelly Korda, Mikaela Shiffrin and A’ja Wilson. First-time ESPY nominees include Bam Adebayo, Lauren Betts, Macklin Celebrini, Hannah Hidalgo, Drake Maye, Fernando Mendoza, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Knicks presence is significant, as this year’s ESPYs will return to New York after more than 25 years in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernandez set to host.
