Keldon Johnson Breaks Manu Ginóbili's Record to Claim NBA Sixth Man of the Year

Keldon Johnson Crowned NBA's Top Sixth Man

According to Главком: At 26 years old, San Antonio Spurs small forward Keldon Johnson has been named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year for the 2025/2026 season. The award, officially called the John Havlicek Trophy, was earned after Johnson amassed 1,081 points off the bench throughout the season-a new league record that surpasses the previous mark set by legendary Manu Ginóbili, who recorded 927 points during the 2007/08 campaign. Notably, Ginóbili also won the Sixth Man of the Year title that same season.

Ukraine's Road to the 2027 FIBA World Cup

In the qualifying rounds for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, the Ukrainian national basketball team suffered a defeat against Spain in the fourth matchday, with a final score of 78:64. The game unfolded across four quarters: 16:9, 12:12, 24:22, and 26:21. Earlier, in the third matchday, Spain had also beaten Ukraine, this time 66:86. However, during the second matchday, the Ukrainian squad secured a commanding victory over Denmark, winning 88:71, and in the opening game of the qualifiers, they defeated Georgia with a score of 79:92.

In the contest against Georgia, the top performer was Oleksandr Kovliar, who scored 31 points over 37 minutes of play. Oleksandr Lypovyi also put up a solid performance, contributing 13 points, while Viacheslav Bobrov recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Thus, Keldon Johnson has delivered outstanding results in the NBA, earning the Sixth Man of the Year honor, while the Ukrainian national team continues its fight in World Cup qualifying, seeking to improve its standing after recent setbacks.

Johnson's victory represents a major milestone not only for him personally but also for the San Antonio Spurs organization, highlighting the growing talent within the league. Source: sports news

The award Johnson received could increase his value on the trade market and influence the team's strategy in upcoming seasons. As for the Ukrainian national team, they have the opportunity to correct their mistakes in future matches to keep their hopes of participating in the World Cup alive. The qualifying results remain critically important for the development of Ukrainian basketball on the international stage.

As Keldon Johnson sets a new benchmark in the NBA, the excitement surrounding basketball continues to grow. This surge in interest is reflected in the recent statistics, with NBA viewership reaching a 24-year high, showcasing a remarkable 86% increase in audience engagement. Such trends highlight the league's expanding popularity and the emergence of new stars like Johnson.