Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wins PBWA’s Rudy Tomjanovich Award for 2023-24

May 14, 2024 — Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors has won the 2023-24 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, Kerr guided the Warriors to a 46-36 record and handled every situation with patience and grace. Kerr is consistently thoughtful and engaging with the media, and generous with his time.

Kerr was one of five finalists for the Tomjanovich award, based on nominations from PBWA members. The others were Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic. A vote of the full PBWA membership determined the winner.

Kerr is the first three-time honoree, having previously won the award in 2015 and 2018.

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 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