Caitlin Clark, Patrick Mahomes and Shohei Ohtani were some of the big stars honored at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday night.
Prior to the televised ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, several winners were announced on the red carpet show, during which Clark, Mahomes and Ohtani each won awards in their respective fields.
Clark won the ESPY Award for Best College Athlete in Women’s Sports. Her stellar college career at the University of Iowa elevated her above other nominees such as LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant, Wisconsin volleyball star Sarah Franklin and Northwestern lacrosse star Izzy Scane.
The former Iowa Hawkeye college player, who managed to break Pete Maravich’s all-time NCAA scoring record, also received the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance.
The first overall pick was also nominated for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports. However, alongside Coco Gauff and Nelly Korda, Clark saw reigning WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson take the award.
Caitlin Clark Named Best College Athlete in Women’s Sports at the 2024 ESPY Awards
Three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes named NFL Player of the Year
After winning his second consecutive Super Bowl MVP and third in five years, Mahomes was named the NFL’s Best Player and Best Athlete in Men’s Sports.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ poster boy was chosen over Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, San Francisco 49ers and NFL rushing leader Christian McCaffrey and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens for the league honor.
Meanwhile, Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ $700 million man, was named MLB’s Best Player, as he continues to make his case for NL MVP after leaving the Angels.
Ohtani was selected over Ronald Acuña of the Braves, Gerrit Cole of the Yankees and Corey Seager of the Rangers.
Both Mahomes and Ohtani were nominated for Best Male Athlete along with golf star Scottie Scheffler and Edmonton Oilers ace Connor McDavid. As Mahomes received the award, his second of the night, Chiefs coach Andy Reid accepted the trophy on his behalf.
National League MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers was named MLB’s Best Player
Jaylen Brown and Lamar Jackson received awards at the 2024 ESPYs in Los Angeles
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson earned ESPY awards for Best Female Athlete and Best WNBA Player
American gymnastics star Simone Biles was named Best Comeback Athlete ahead of the Olympics
In addition, Max Verstappen was named Best Driver, while Luka Doncic was named Best NBA Player. Wilson also earned her second ESPY of the night after being named Best WNBA Player.
NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, who was recently left off the U.S. Olympic team, won the trophy for Best Championship Performance.
As she prepares to headline the U.S. gymnastics team in Paris, Simone Biles has been named Best Comeback Athlete.
Other honorees include Brenna Huckaby for Best Athlete with a Disability, Juju Watkins for Best Breakthrough Athlete and Jackson for Best Work.
In addition to the athletes, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, while South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Meanwhile, Maui’s surfing community received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.