CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards is always about honors and accomplishments, but this year it also took on a nostalgic feeling.
It was about memories, with the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers’ championship drawing some of the spotlight.
The 26th awards ceremony, held Thursday night at Rocket Arena, highlighted its annual best of the best of the region’s athletes. But a roundtable discussion took center stage with former Cavs General Manager David Griffin on stage and Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith from the ’16 team via Zoom. Media personality Mark Schwab moderated.
A decade ago, the Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors, a 73-9 team lauded as a dynasty, defending champs who had Cleveland down three games to one.
That day – June 19, 2016, Game 7 at Golden State – became “a day Cleveland will never forget,” Schwab told the crowd packed on the arena court and in lower-bowl seats.
Griffin used the word “grit” to describe the team, saying the fit around LeBron James was paramount for the Cavs’ road to the championship.
“They had no fear of adversity,” he said.
The irony, Shumpert said, was when he found out he and Smith were dealt from the New York Knicks, he “was initially sad about coming to Cleveland.” Then Smith reminded him: “We’re going from fighting to make the playoffs to being in first place.”
But what Griffin described as a “delusional confidence” took over. It was a collective selfless team that had lost to the Warriors a year before and was not about to let it happen again. Shumpert lauded James’ ability “to understand the moment,” the mental pressures, and to tell his teammates it was Golden State who did not want to play Game 7.
“We knew what we were here for. I don’t think any of us had a fear of Golden State,” Griffin said.
“There was a bitter taste in our mouths from the previous year,” Shumpert said. “There was no way we were going to lose that game.”
Cleveland won, 93-89.
The awards benefit the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, whose president, David Gilbert, told the crowd that last year’s sporting events totaled more than $47 million in economic impact for the region.
The feel-good ambiance in the arena continued when former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, who had a liver transplant in November, addressed the crowd before the awards were presented.
“What an honor to be healthy enough to be here today,” said Kosar, who described himself as being in the “fourth quarter” part of his life, extolling the achievements of those who would cross the stage.
“We stand for greatness here in Northeast Ohio,” he said.
Greater Cleveland Sports Awards
2025 Best Moment in Cleveland Sports
Winner: Cleveland Guardians’ late-season comeback and American League Central championship.
Finalists:
• Browns beat Green Bay Packers with fourth-quarter comeback in September
• Cavaliers’ comeback against the Boston Celtics in February
• Donovan Mitchell’s 360 layup vs. the Chicago Bulls
• De’Andre Hunter’s ankle breaker on Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey
• Myles Garrett breaks the NFL single-season sack record against the Cincinnati Bengals
Professional Athlete of the Year
Winner: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
During a sub-.500 season for the Browns, all eyes were on Garrett, the edge rusher who became the all-time single-season sacks record holder with 23. He became the first NFL player to record six consecutive seasons with 12 or more sacks each year. Garrett, who just finished his ninth season in the league, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Browns.
Finalists:
• Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
•José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians
Jim Donovan Courage Award
Myles Grimmett, basketball: The 15-year-old Elyria High School guard was recognized for his career after surgery for bone cancer. Nearly a decade ago, Grimmett underwent a pioneering surgery at Cleveland Clinic. It used a bone from his leg to reconstruct his arm. He had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare, aggressive cancer located just below his right shoulder. His medical team faced a difficult question: Amputate, or find a way to save both the limb and its function. Using a “free fibula transplant,” the surgeons removed most of Grimmett’s fibula and transplanted it into his arm to replace the diseased portion of bone. The procedure allowed the transplanted bone to grow and function as part of his upper arm. Grimmett eventually adapted by learning to dribble and shoot basketball with his left hand.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Hanford Dixon. The former Browns cornerback enjoyed a successful career during one of the most memorable eras of football for the Browns. He was drafted by the Browns and spent his entire career in Cleveland from 1981 to 1989. He finished with 26 interceptions, earned three Pro Bowl selections and was named to two All-Pro teams. Dixon helped lead the Browns to six playoff appearances, including three AFC Championship games, and is credited as one of the players who helped coin the name “Dawg Pound.” Dixon remained in Cleveland after his career and has worked as a broadcaster and television personality. He has mentored young athletes, co-chaired Taste of the Browns to support the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and advocates for education and perseverance among youth.
Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year
Winner: Eric Colaco, Denison University (Revere High), baseball
Colaco was named NCAC Player of the Year for the third consecutive year as well as a Division III All-America third team while guiding Denison to its first DIII College World Series appearance. Colaco finished with a .355 average.
Finalists:
•Giovanni Kennedy, University of Mount Union (St. Edward), football
•Arvell Reese, Ohio State University (Glenville), football
Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year
Winner: Katie Clark, University of Mount Union (Walsh Jesuit), lacrosse
Clark was named USA Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American, leading the team with 43 goals and 77 assists. She finished as the school’s career leader in points (459), assists (233) and goals (226).
Finalists:
• Grace Kelsheimer, Marshall University (Westlake), swimming and diving
• Shyanne Sellers, University of Maryland (Aurora), basketball
Male High School Athlete of the Year
Winner: Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights High School, basketball
Johnson earned 2025 Ohio Mr. Basketball, Ohio MaxPreps Player of the Year and cleveland.com boys basketball Player of the Year honors. He averaged 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.2 steals, and committed to the University of South Carolina.
Finalists:
• Shahn Alston, Harvey High School, football
• Jack Ragon, Saint Ignatius High School, volleyball
Female High School Athlete of the Year
Winner: Saniyah Hall, Spire Academy, basketball
Hall starred for Team USA at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, averaging 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Hall helped lead the United States to the gold medal and committed to the University of Southern California.
Finalists:
• Sydney Borowy, Magnificat High School, volleyball
• Emily Morgan, Hathaway Brown School, lacrosse
Past coverage of Greater Cleveland Sports Awards
2025,2024 and2023