T.J. McConnell named finalist for annual Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award
The nine-year veteran is having the best offensive season in his career and he continues to impact winning. This nomination is a result of what he does for the Pacers on and off the court.
T.J. McConnell, one of the most selfless players on the Indiana Pacers, is being recognized for being a great teammate.
The veteran point guard is one of 12 finalists for Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award for the 2023-24 season, as voted on by a panel of league executives.
And there will be a new winner for the first time in three years after Jrue Holiday won it in three of the past four seasons — including the last two.
According to the NBA, the annual honor recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team.
This award, which has been given out annually since 2013, is particularly meaningful because the winner is voted on by the players. There are six finalists from both conferences.
The other finalists: Harrison Barnes, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Mike Conley Jr. (previous winner), Markelle Fultz, Al Horford, Larry Nance Jr., Georges Niang, Dwight Powell and Jalen Williams.
McConnell started the season out of the rotation, and it took him one game to demonstrate that he was too valuable to not have a regular role. Coming off a career season last year, he’s elevated his play even more.
“T.J. has had to compete for everything in his life; nothing has ever been given to him,” GM Chad Buchanan said before the season. “He comes out on the right side of things with everywhere he’s been.”
McConnell is averaging a career-high 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. He’s been the team’s most consistent player since the All-Star break and has reached double figures in 16 of 20 games, including 10 in a row.
He leads, he competes, and he plays with a consistent level of spirit and toughness every single game.
He’s going to make a great head coach one day…
The nine-year veteran went undrafted in 2015, the same draft class as teammate Myles Turner. And he continues to show his worth inside the locker room every single day.
“Whenever my number is called, I’m just gonna stay ready,” he says often. “Just trying to hold down the fort and get our second unit rolling.”
The National Basketball Players Association has also previously had a similar award, called the Backbone award. Previous Pacers to be voted teammate of the year include Ian Mahinmi in 2016, Al Jefferson in 2017 and Victor Oladipo in 2018.
Previous winners for this award: Holiday, Damian Lillard, Mike Conley Jr., Jamal Crawford, Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, Shane Battier and Chauncey Billups.
Suffice to say, it’s great company. And Carlisle coached three of the winners: Nowitzki, Carter and Billups.
“T.J. approaches it the same way all the time,” Carlisle said of McConnell’s relentless play. “He's gonna give everything he's got out there regardless of the situation. And that's what we all need to do.”
Great story about a better guy!