On July 16, some of the most prominent athletes will gather at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 2025 ESPYS ceremony. Among the nominees leading the pack is Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, recognized in multiple categories for her outstanding rookie season.
Clark, 23, received nominations for both Best WNBA Player and Best Record-Breaking Performance after setting numerous league and team records. Alongside her, top athletes like Shohei Ohtani, Kevin Durant, and NBA stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headline the list across diverse sports.
Prominent Nominees Announced for the 2025 ESPYS
ESPN revealed a comprehensive list of finalists across various categories, reflecting a broad spectrum of athletic excellence. Caitlin Clark’s place among the top contenders coincides with impressive performances from athletes in baseball, basketball, football, and other disciplines.
Best Men’s Athlete nominees include Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Shohei Ohtani. Clark’s competition for Best Women’s Athlete features esteemed athletes like Simone Biles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, and A’ja Wilson.
The Best Breakthrough Athlete category highlights emerging talents, with Duke’s Cooper Flagg, North Carolina’s Chloe Humphrey, rugby star Ilona Maher, and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes standing out.
Caitlin Clark Among Top Contenders for Multiple Awards
Clark’s notable nomination for Best Record-Breaking Performance comes on the heels of a season in which she crafted multiple historic milestones as a rookie. Her candidacy sits alongside heavyweight contenders including Geno Auriemma, Kevin Durant, and Alexander Ovechkin.
In the Best Championship Performance segment, celebrated athletes such as Simone Biles for the 2024 Olympics Women’s All-Around, Stephen Curry for the US Olympic Basketball Team, Freddie Freeman as the World Series MVP, and Rory McIlroy, who secured the Masters title completing his career Grand Slam, have been nominated.
The Best Comeback Athlete category features notable figures like Gabe Landeskog, Suni Lee, Mallory Swanson, and Lindsey Vonn, each returning to top form after overcoming hurdles.
Highlights in Key ESPYS Categories Across Sports
Several other categories showcase thrilling achievements, including Best Play nominations like Saquon Barkley’s memorable backwards hurdle on November 3, 2024, Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch call during NBA Finals Game 1, Sabrina Ionescu’s critical game-winning shot in WNBA Finals Game 3, and Trinity Rodman’s decisive goal sending the USWNT to the Olympic semifinals.
Best Team category selections range from the Florida Panthers in the NHL to the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB, the New York Liberty in WNBA, and the Ohio State Buckeyes in NCAA football. Other nominees include Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia Eagles, North Carolina Tar Heels, the United States Women’s National Soccer Team, and University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball team.
In collegiate sports, Cooper Flagg leads the Best College Athlete — Men’s Sports nominees, with Wyatt Hendrickson, Travis Hunter, and CJ Kirst also in contention. The women’s college athlete nominees include Olivia Babcock, Kate Faasse, Gretchen Walsh, and JuJu Watkins.
Standout Athletes in Football, Baseball, and Beyond
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley earned nominations for Best Men’s Athlete and Best NFL Player after a spectacular season where he ran for 2,005 yards and recorded 13 touchdowns. His backward hurdle over Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones is a strong candidate for Best Play. The Eagles themselves are nominated for Best Team, meaning Barkley could potentially receive recognition in four different ESPY categories.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, recognized for his dual-threat excellence in pitching and hitting, is nominated for Best Men’s Athlete and Best MLB Player as he continues to impress this season.
A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces standout, is also up for Best Women’s Athlete following her unanimous selection as WNBA MVP. Her stellar averages of 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game cement her reputation as a dominant force in women’s basketball.
NBA Stars Vie for Top Honors
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander represents one of the most remarkable stories of the year, having recently earned NBA MVP honors on May 21. Leading the league with an average of 32.7 points per game, SGA also propelled OKC to the best record of 68-14 and secured the NBA Finals MVP after a seven-game victory over the Indiana Pacers. His Finals averages included 30.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, placing him alongside legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal, who achieved the trifecta of scoring leader, MVP, and champion in the same season.
Gilgeous-Alexander is poised to add both Best NBA Player and Best Men’s Athlete ESPYS to his collection.
Diverse Range of Sports and Athletes Represented
The ESPYS nominations span a wide array of sports disciplines, highlighting athletes who excel in various fields. Best Driver nominees include NASCAR’s Joey Logano, IndyCar’s Álex Palou, and Formula 1 stars Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. Among Best UFC Fighter candidates are Dricus Du Plessis, Merab Dvalishvili, Kayla Harrison, and Islam Makhachev.
Boxing’s Best Fighter category includes Naoya Inoue, Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, and Oleksandr Usyk. Soccer recognizes talents such as Aitana Bonmatí, Christian Pulisic, Alexia Putellas, and Lamine Yamal. The golfing field features Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Maja Stark, while tennis contenders include Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jannik Sinner.
Significance and Anticipation for the 2025 ESPYS Ceremony
The 2025 ESPYS reflect the dynamic nature of sports, celebrating both established stars and emerging athletes who have left a significant mark over the past year. Caitlin Clark’s multiple nominations underscore her impact in women’s basketball and her rising prominence in the broader sporting landscape.
As the event approaches, fans and athletes alike anticipate who will take home awards in categories that showcase breakthrough performances, record-breaking achievements, and inspiring comebacks. The ceremony not only honors individual excellence but also fosters appreciation for the diversity and breadth of sporting achievement worldwide.