Get ready to throw on your flyest outfit, grab some popcorn, and scream “YASSSS” at your TV, because the 2025 BET Awards are about to shut everything down on Monday, June 9 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET! This isn’t just an award show—it’s Culture’s Biggest Night, where music, fashion, drama, and sports all collide in a spectacle of pure Black excellence. And guess who’s pulling up looking for another shiny trophy? Stephen Curry!
And this year, the competition is spicier than a Carolina Reaper dipped in hot sauce. Check out this savage lineup:
LeBron James—The King himself. He’s got 9 BET wins in this category and 21 nominations—man’s been dominating so long his résumé needs its own zip code. Jayson Tatum—Smooth, stylish, and built like an action figure. Tatum’s got the drip AND the stats. Anthony Edwards—This man’s confidence is louder than your auntie’s church hat. Rising star? More like a launching star.
Deion Sanders—Yup, Coach Prime! He’s been flipping college football like it’s a real estate market. And with those shades? ICONIC. Aaron Judge—He hits baseballs like they stole something. Don’t sleep on the Yankees’ captain. Jalen Hurts—Quarterback with that main-character energy. Smooth with the throws, smoother with the fits.
Saquon Barkley—Built like a Marvel superhero. Speed? Check. Strength? Check. BET Award vibes? Big check. So yeah… Steph’s not just bringing a basketball, he’s bringing a battle plan.
BET Awards: Where culture meets chaos
Let’s not forget—the BET Awards aren’t your 1950s award show. These awards were cooked up back in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television to honor Black excellence in music, acting, sports, and more. Since then, it’s given us everything from tear-jerking tributes to Prince, Jesse Williams going full Malcolm X, and moments that had Twitter combusting in real-time.
This year’s show? Hosted by Kevin Hart. So you already KNOW the jokes are gonna be flying faster than a LeBron chase-down block. Oh, and did we mention the 25th anniversary of 106 & Park is going down too? You heard right. AJ, Free, Rocsi, Terrence J, Julissa, Keshia Chanté—they’re ALL coming back for a reunion that’s gonna hit harder than your 2006 ringtone playlist.
Before we crown a new champ, let’s throw a lil’ respect on Jalen Brunson, who snagged the 2024 Sportsman of the Year award after dragging the Knicks out of irrelevance like they were stuck in an elevator. Man played like every game was Game 7. The BET Award for Sportsman of the Year used to be called “Best Male Athlete” before it got its glow-up in 2010. It celebrates not just performance, but cultural impact, influence, and how loud your name rings outside your sport.
And when you see names like LeBron, Steph, Kobe—you realize this isn’t just about stats. It’s about legacy.
Let’s break down some heavy hitters: LeBron James: 9 WINS. 21 nominations. That’s not dominance—that’s a dynasty. Stephen Curry: 5 wins. 10 nominations. Mr. “Change-the-game-from-30-feet.” Kobe Bryant: 3 wins. 10 nominations. Mamba forever.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: (L-R) Kerry Washington presents the Jackie Robinson Sports Award to honoree Serena Williams onstage during the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET)
These guys didn’t just play—they transcended. And that’s what BET looks for.
Where? Peacock Theater, Los Angeles. When? Monday, June 9. What channel? BET. What time? 8 PM ET/PT. Host? Kevin “Short but Loud” Hart.
Pre-show Hype? BETX Experience from June 5-8 with Buju Banton, The Roots, Bone Thugs, Lil’ Kim, and more.
And if that’s not enough, Kendrick Lamar leads all nominations with 10 (surprise, surprise), and artists like SZA, The Weeknd, Drake, GloRilla, and Metro Boomin are ready to light up the night. Even international heavyweights like Tems, Tyla, and Rema are in the building!
The 2025 BET Awards are shaping up to be the Super Bowl of vibes. Whether Steph Curry takes home his 6th Sportsman trophy or gets Steph’d on by Deion’s sunglasses or Saquon’s quads, one thing’s for sure: the culture always wins.
Mark your calendars. Grab the snacks. And for the love of Beyoncé, don’t be late. This isn’t just a show—it’s a movement. Let’s gooo!
The post 2025 BET Awards: Who Are Stephen Curry’s Competitors for Sportsman of the Year Award? Full List, Date & Time appeared first on EssentiallySports.