Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been named the Hickok Belt® Award overall yearly winner for 2023. Voting was conducted by a select panel of members of the National Sports Media Association (NSMA). The 28-year-old, 6’11” basketball star nicknamed the “Joker” was selected for the honor based on his record-setting performances throughout 2023, in which he became the first player to lead the playoffs in total points, rebounds and assists. Jokic led his team to the NBA finals with his fantastic playing and taking his scoring to another level, capturing the franchise’s first NBA title. He was also given the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. He is being compared to Magic Johnson and LeBron James and he is a prolific force and continues to move forward in his career.
Tony Liccione, of the Hickok Belt® Award, said in a statement, “Nikola Jokic’s selection recognizes him as ‘the best of the best’ across all professional sports. It is only fitting, after playing the incredible way he did in the 2023 season, that he be included in the long line of Hickok Belt® Award champions. His record setting achievement is one for the record books.”
Other finalists for the overall yearly award included each of the 2023 Hickok Belt® Award monthly winners, who finished in the following order, based on the NSMA voting: Simone Biles (gymnastics), Mikaela Shiffrin (skiing), Coco Gauff (tennis), Joel Embiid (basketball), Adolis Garcia (baseball), Carlos Alcaraz (tennis), Jon Rahm (golf), Damian Lillard (basketball), and Dak Prescott (football).
To learn more about the history of the Hickok Belt® Award and keep up with all the news surrounding the award in 2024, visit http://www.hickokbelt.com.
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