Discover the Top 5 NBA Hustle Award Winners Who Transformed Their Teams' Performance
Let me tell you something about hustle that doesn't always show up in the box score. I've been watching basketball for over two decades now, and what fascinates me most isn't necessarily the high-flying dunks or the game-winning shots—it's the players who consistently do the dirty work that transforms teams from mediocre to formidable. The NBA Hustle Award, introduced in 2016-17, recognizes exactly these kinds of players, and I've noticed how their impact often ripples far beyond individual statistics.
When Marcus Smart won the inaugural award back in 2019, I remember thinking how perfectly it captured his value to the Celtics. The man averaged just 8.9 points that season but led the league in loose balls recovered with 1.7 per game and consistently ranked near the top in charges taken. What impressed me most was how his defensive intensity became contagious—suddenly you saw Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown buying into that same gritty mentality. The Celtics' defensive rating improved by approximately 3.2 points per 100 possessions when Smart was on the floor that season, transforming them from a middle-of-the-pack defensive team to one that could genuinely disrupt opponents' offensive schemes. Smart didn't just hustle—he created a culture of hustle.
Then there's Montrezl Harrell, who took home the award in 2020. I'll never forget watching him during the Clippers' 2019-20 campaign—the man played with an engine that never seemed to quit. He averaged 18.6 points off the bench, but more importantly, he contested nearly 12 shots per game while fighting for every offensive rebound. His energy became the team's identity during that stretch, and honestly, I think the Clippers haven't been the same since he departed. They lost that relentless second-unit punch that Harrell provided, that constant pressure that wore down opposing big men quarter after quarter.
The 2021 winner, Thaddeus Young, represents what I consider the most underappreciated type of hustle player. During his time with the Bulls, he wasn't putting up flashy numbers—just 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game—but watch the film and you'll see how his basketball IQ and positioning created countless extra possessions. He led the league in deflections that season with about 3.9 per game, and his ability to read passing lanes reminded me of a seasoned quarterback anticipating throws. What made Young special was how his hustle was cerebral rather than purely physical—he conserved energy by being in the right place rather than chasing every play frantically.
Looking at these players reminds me of something Egyptian basketball star Aly Seifeldin Hassan once said about preparation: "It will be tough for sure that we will play the Philippines. We will prepare very, very well because we're here in Pilipinas with their fans, but we will deal with it." That mentality—acknowledging the challenge but committing to thorough preparation—is exactly what these hustle award winners embody. They know the game will be tough, the rebounds will be contested, the loose balls will require diving on the floor, yet they prepare mentally and physically to excel in those exact moments.
The 2022 winner, Jose Alvarado, brought a different dimension to hustle that I absolutely love. His famous "grand theft" plays—sneaking up on unsuspecting ball handlers—became must-watch television. The Pelicans guard averaged just 1.3 steals per game officially, but his impact went far beyond that number. He disrupted offensive sets, forced countless eight-second violations, and genuinely changed how opposing point guards brought the ball up court. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who estimate Alvarado's presence alone created about 4-5 extra possessions per game through his pressure—possessions that often made the difference in close games.
Most recently, Jalen Brunson's 2023 Hustle Award recognition surprised some casual fans, but not those of us who watch every Knicks game. While known for his scoring, Brunson led the league in charges drawn with 42—that's 42 possessions where he literally put his body on the line to gain an advantage for his team. His commitment to taking charges at critical moments often swung momentum completely, and I'd argue this aspect of his game contributed significantly to the Knicks' unexpected playoff success last season.
What strikes me about all these players is how their hustle becomes infectious. It's not just about their individual stats—it's about how their effort elevates everyone around them. I've seen role players who normally conserve energy suddenly diving for loose balls when their hustle leader is on the floor. I've watched entire defensive units communicate better, rotate faster, and contest more shots because one player's relentless effort sets the standard.
The transformation these players catalyze reminds me that basketball, at its core, remains a game of effort and will as much as skill. The Hustle Award winners demonstrate that while talent gets you to the NBA, it's the extra effort—the dive on the floor, the extra rotation, the sacrifice of your body—that often separates good teams from great ones. In my experience covering the league, the teams with these types of players consistently outperform expectations because hustle covers for so many other deficiencies. It's the great equalizer in a league of extraordinary athletes, and these five winners represent the very best of what that mentality can achieve.