NBA: Pelicans C DeAndre Jordan named NBA's Teammate of Year

New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan has been named the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year for the 2025-26 season, the league announced on Wednesday.

The award, presented annually since the 2012-13 season, honors the player considered the league’s best teammate. It recognizes selfless play, leadership on and off the court, mentorship, and commitment to team success.

A panel of league executives selected 12 finalists, with current NBA players casting the final votes. Jordan edged out Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, a three-time winner of the award, in a tight race. Jordan received 66 first-place votes and finished with 1,445 points, just eight ahead of Holiday’s 1,437. Houston’s Jeff Green placed third with 1,420 points, while Toronto’s Garrett Temple finished fourth with 1,223.

At 37, Jordan adds the honor to a decorated career that includes three All-NBA selections, two All-Defensive Team nods, and an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in the 2022-23 season. He also earned an All-Star selection in 2016-17.

Jordan appeared in 12 games for New Orleans this season, making seven starts and averaging 4.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Across 18 NBA seasons, Jordan has played in 1,123 games (798 starts) with eight teams. He owns career averages of 8.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, underscoring his long-standing impact both on the court and as a respected veteran presence in the league. -Field Level Media/Reuters