CLEVELAND — The National Basketball Coaches Association announced Saturday that the Cavaliers Head Coach, Kenny Atkinson, is this year’s Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award recipient.

What You Need To Know

  • Kenny Atkinson, Cavs head coach, was named the 2025 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award recipient

  • All NBA coaches vote on the award

  • He was hired to coach the Cavs in June of last year

In a press release announcing the news, it states that this award honors dedication, commitment and hard work. It also states it's given to a coach who helps players perform on the court and show "outstanding service and dedication to the community off-the-court.”

“Coaching the game of basketball has been an amazing journey for me and my family, and to be recognized by my peers for a job well done this season is extremely humbling,” Atkinson said in the release. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching some amazing players over my career and I would not be in this position without their commitment and sacrifice for the greater good of themselves and the Cleveland Cavaliers.”

The annual award is voted on by all NBA coaches.

Other coaches who received votes for this award were:

  • J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons
  • Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets
  • Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets

“Kenny Atkinson has long been respected by his peers as an innovative and humble servant to the game,” said Indiana Pacers Head Coach and NBCA President Rick Carlisle in the release. “Congratulations to Kenny on a historic season along with this prestigious recognition by his peers.”

Atkinson was hired by the Cavs in June of last year. He had been the assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors the previous three seasons.

Atkinson also praised the Cavs support staff and assistant coaches, whose efforts he said allow him to reach his highest potential as a coach.

"Individual accolades are special, but I must give a ton of credit to Koby Altman for assembling the collection of talent we have in Cleveland," he said in the release. "A special thank you as well to Dan Gilbert for consistently providing incredible resources and assistance in our chase for NBA Championships.”

David Fogel, NBCA executive director and general counsel, said Atkinson is deserving of this award and the recognition.

“Coach Atkinson’s hard work, dedication to his players, and ability to empower, led the Cavs to one of the greatest regular seasons by a coach in their first season with a new team," he said. "Congratulations to Coach Atkinson, the Cavaliers Assistant Coaches, and the entire organization on winning the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured the No. 1 seat in the Eastern Conference earlier this season, meaning they will face the eighth seed as the playoffs begin. 

The release states that Atkinson has “quickly transformed the Cavaliers into one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA.”

Spectrum News 1 producer Madison MacArthur contributed to this report.

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