Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Simone Biles, the Philadelphia Eagles and Ilona Maher were among the best winners at the 2025 Espy Awards.
Comedian Shane Gillis welcomed the award ceremony, presented by ESPN, Wednesday evening live from the Dolby Theater of Los Angeles. A plethora of awards was given to a range of athletes in variable categories, including the coveted titles of the best athlete in male and female sports, which went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simone Biles, respectively.
Gilgeous-Alexander was nominated alongside Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) and Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) while Biles was against Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Track & Field), Gabby Thomas (Track & Field) Wilson (Las Vegas Aces).
The other best winners of the evening included Team USA rugby player, Maher, who won the honor for the best revolutionary athlete. Aside from his best athlete victory, Biles also won the title of best championship performance for her versatile female set of the Olympic Games in 2024 which saw her win the gold medal.
The teammate of the Biles USA team, Suni Lee, was honored with the best prize for a return athlete, while the star of the NFL Saquon Barkley won the best game victory for his obstacle upside down during the November 3 match of Philadelphia Eagles against the Jacksonville jaguars.
The title of the best team went to the Eagles of Philadelphia (which notably won the Super Bowl earlier this year), while additional prices of “best players” were awarded to the athletes of the NFL, the MLB, the NHL, the NBA and the WNBA, in addition to the driving categories, UFC, Boxing, Football, Golf and Tennis.
The complete list of winners of 2025 ESPYS follows.
Best athlete – Male sports
Shai Gilgeous -Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Best athlete – female sports
Simone Biles – Gymnast
Best revolutionary athlete
Ilona Maher – Rugby
Best Record performance
Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals
Best championship performance
Simone Biles – 2024 Olympic Games
Best return athlete
Suni Lee – Gymnast
Best game
Saquon Barkley’s Brobterderdly – NFL (11/3/24)
Best team
Philadelphia Eagles – NFL
Best university athlete – Male sports
Cooper Flagg – Duke Basketball
Best university athlete – female sports
Juju Watkins – USC basketball
Best athlete with a handicap
Noah Elliott – Snowboard
Best NFL player
Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles
Best MLB player
Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
Best NHL player
Leon Draisaitl – Oilers d’Edmonton,
Best NBA player
Shai Gilgeous -Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Best WNBA player
Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever
Best driver
Max Verstappen – F1
Best fighter UFC
Merab stay
Best boxer
Katie Taylor
Best footballer
Christian Pulisic – AC Milan, United States
Best golfer
Scottie Scheffler
Best tennis player
Coco Gauff
Gatorade best female player of the year
Jane Hendengren (Cross Country, Track & Field)
Gatorade best male player of the year
Cameron Boozer (basketball)
