The most accomplished US gymnast in Olympic history, Simone Biles also earned the ESPY for Best Championship Performance for her legendary all-around performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Decorated American gymnast Simone Biles claimed major individual honors at the 2025 ESPYs.
First, Biles bagged her second Best Female Athlete honor at the annual sports celebration at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took home the male counterpart to that award, in addition to being named Best NBA Player.
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“Six-year-old me, who first started tumbling on my parents’ sofa in the living room, is floored to be standing before you right now,” the 28-year-old gymnast said.
She also took the opportunity to inspire future generations of athletes, encouraging them to chase their dreams: “For anyone pursuing any path in life, I encourage you to follow your heart, pursue your dreams, and believe in yourself every step of the way. Anything is possible.”
Biles' Olympic gold-medal-winning all-around performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games also earned her the Best Championship Performance nod.
It surpassed Stephen Curry’s dazzling outing for Team USA in their gold medal match against host France, Freddie Freeman’s historic World Series Game 1 walk-off grand slam for the LA Dodgers, and Rory McIlroy’s triumph at the Masters to complete his career Grand Slam.
"That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men," Biles said.
In addition to her two ESPYs, she also became an 11-time Olympic medalist and helped the US win its first Olympic gymnastics team title since 2016, securing three golds and one silver in Paris.
Meanwhile, Biles' Olympic teammate, Suni Lee, received the Best Comeback Athlete award for overcoming rare kidney diseases and returning to competition to win multiple medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Lee, who was joined by her doctor at the ceremony, had to leave college gymnastics at Auburn due to her illness but made an incredible recovery to compete in the Olympics.
She played a crucial role in securing gold for the U.S. in the team event, excelling on the uneven bars and balance beam. Lee also earned two individual bronze medals—one in the all-around and another on the uneven bars—bringing her total Olympic medal count to six.
Retired WNBA star Diana Taurasi and former USWNT icon Alex Morgan were honored with the prestigious Icon Award, celebrating their legendary careers and immeasurable impact on women’s sports.
"Our mission has always been very similar. We fought to leave our game in a better place than where we found it, just as a generation before us did. We're standing on the shoulders of giants," said Morgan, who retired in September 2024 as one of the most accomplished American women’s football players.
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In a touching moment, Taurasi, who retired in early February this year as a three-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and the league’s all-time scoring leader, shared a powerful message for the next generation.
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“Keep going. Don’t wait for someone to hand you anything. Outwork them, be loyal, and bring that damn fire every day,” the WNBA legend reminded.
The Philadelphia Eagles, winners of their second Super Bowl in February, earned the Best Team honor, edging out nine other nominees, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.
Hall of Famer and NBA legend Oscar Robertson was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage presented by former MVP Russell Westbrook.
Known as “The Big O,” the 12-time NBA All-Star and the first Black president of a major sports labor union that led to significant reforms in the league, including a landmark antitrust lawsuit that contributed to improved player salaries and free-agent rights.
The Players of the Year, Cameron Boozer (basketball) and Jane Hedengren (track and field), were also celebrated for their exceptional talent and commitment.
Boozer, who will play at Duke, and Hedengren, who will compete for BYU, were honored for their athletic achievements in their respective sports.
Here’s a full list of the 2025 ESPY winners:
- Best Athlete - Men's Sports: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (NBA-Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Best Athlete - Women's Sports: Simone Biles (USA Gymnastics)
- Best Team: Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
- Best Breakthrough Athlete: Ilona Maher (USA Rugby)
- Best Record-Breaking Performance: Alexander Ovechkin (NHL all-time goals leader)
- Best Championship Performance: Simone Biles (2024 Paris Olympics - gymnastics all-around)
- Best Comeback Athlete: Suni Lee (USA Gymnastics)
- Best Play: Saquon Barkley's backwards hurdle
- Icon Award: Alex Morgan (USA Women's Soccer), Diana Taurasi (WNBA)
- Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Oscar Robertson
- Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Sloane Stephens
- Capital One Cup Winners: UNC women and Ohio State men
- Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Katie Schumacher-Cawley
- Best NBA Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Best WNBA Player: Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
- Best NFL Player: Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Best NHL Player: Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
- Best Tennis Player: Coco Gauff
- Best Driver: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Best UFC Fighter: Merab Dvalishvili
- Best Soccer Player: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan, USMNT)
- Best Golfer: Scottie Scheffler
- Best UFC Fighter: Merab Dvalishvili
- Best College Athlete - Men's Sports: Cooper Flagg (Duke MBB)
- Best College Athlete - Women's Sports: JuJu Watkins (USC WBB)
- Gatorade Players of the Year: Jane Hedengren, Cameron Boozer
- Pat Tillman Award for Service: Los Angeles County firefighters David Walters and Erin Regan
- Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Rishin Tandon, Maegha Ramanathan and Ian Waite
- Best Athlete with a Disability: Noah Elliott (Para Snowboarding)