Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson wins PBWA’s Rudy Tomjanovich Award for 2024-25

May 13, 2025 — Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers has won the 2024-25 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, Atkinson guided the Cavaliers to a 64-18 record, tops in the Eastern Conference, and was consistently thoughtful and engaging with the media, and generous with his time. This is his first time winning the award.

“Kenny has always brought great candor, humility and a sense of humor to the job, and to his regular sessions with the media,” said PBWA president Howard Beck. “He’s always eager to explain the nuances of the game and to discuss the bigger issues across the league.”

J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves tied for second place in the balloting. The other finalists, based on nominations from PBWA members, were Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls. 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 always was 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 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