Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff wins Rudy Tomjanovich Award for 2025-26

April 15, 2026 — J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons has won the 2025-26 Rudy Tomjanovich Award, which honors an NBA coach for his cooperation with the media and fans, as well as his excellence on the court, the Professional Basketball Writers Association announced today.

This season, Bickerstaff guided the Pistons to a 60-22 record, tops in the Eastern Conference, and was consistently thoughtful and engaging with the media, and generous with his time. A finalist in 2025, this is Bickerstaff’s first time winning the award.

“J.B. has been a joy to work with throughout his years as an assistant and head coach in this league,” said PBWA president Howard Beck. “Our members truly appreciate his candor and his willingness to discuss any issues that arise on or off the court. Win or lose, he always handles his interviews with grace and provides the kind of thoughtful insight that helps us all understand the game better.”

Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves finished second in the balloting, for the second straight year. The other finalists, based on nominations from PBWA members, were Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors, Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls and Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic. A vote of the full PBWA membership determined the winner.

The award is named for Hall of Famer Rudy Tomjanovich, the former coach of the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, who was consistently professional and respectful while dealing with the media. During his 13 seasons as an NBA head coach, Tomjanovich compiled a 527-416 regular-season record and a 51-39 postseason record. His Rockets won back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995.

The PBWA annually honors a PR staff (Brian McIntyre Award), coach (Rudy Tomjanovich Award) and star player (Magic Johnson Award) who go above and beyond to work with the media and help inform fans. Under the PBWA’s current rules, adopted in 2020, no team or individual can win in consecutive years.

The Pistons PR staff was announced as this season’s winner of the Brian McIntyre Award on Tuesday. The Magic Johnson Award winner will be named on Thursday.

The PBWA is composed of more than 200 writers and editors who cover the NBA on a regular basis for newspapers, online news outlets and magazines.

Rudy Tomjanovich Award winners
2010-11 Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz
2011-12 Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics
2012-13 George Karl, Denver Nuggets
2013-14 Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers
2014-15 Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
2015-16 Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors
2016-17 Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons
2017-18 Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
2018-19 Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers
2019-20 Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors
2020-21 n/a (pandemic)
2021-22 n/a (pandemic)
2022-23 Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings
2023-24 Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
2024-25 Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
2025-26 J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons