The NBA announced Thursday that Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabaté has been named the winner of the league's Hustle Award for the 2024-25 season—a well-deserved honor for a player who has made an art out of doing the dirty work.

Unlike most NBA awards, the Hustle Award isn't determined by a vote. Instead, the league uses a sophisticated ranking system that evaluates players across nine key hustle stats: offensive and defensive box outs, screen assists, contested two- and three-pointers, offensive and defensive loose balls recovered, deflections, and charges taken.

Diabaté didn't just participate in these categories—he dominated them. The 23-year-old big man ranked 11th or better among all qualifying NBA players in six of those nine hustle metrics. His relentless energy translated into career-high averages of 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, proving that grit and production often go hand in hand.

The Hornets' standout edged out a competitive field. Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels finished second, while Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green—last season's Hustle Award winner—came in third. Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward placed fourth, and New York Knicks guard Josh Hart rounded out the top five.

Now in its 10th season, the Hustle Award continues to celebrate the players who impact winning through effort, energy, and selflessness. For Diabaté, this recognition is a testament to the kind of scrappy, hard-nosed style that fans love to cheer for—and that any basketball wardrobe should be ready to rep.