Jordan Goodwin wins Suns' 2026 Majerle Hustle Award

The Phoenix Suns guard is recognized for his defensive prowess and relentless effort this season.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting a basketball player's defensive movements and hustle plays, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a cubist style.A Suns player's relentless defensive hustle and rebounding effort is captured in a cubist, geometric style.Phoenix Today

The Phoenix Suns have named guard Jordan Goodwin as the winner of their annual Majerle Hustle Award, which honors the player who has shown the most 'hustle, grit and determination' over the course of the season. Goodwin, 27, has emerged as a key contributor for the Suns this year with his defensive intensity, rebounding ability, and improved scoring.

Why it matters

The Majerle Hustle Award is a prestigious honor named after Suns legend Dan Majerle, recognizing the player who best embodies the hard-nosed, scrappy style of play that Majerle was known for during his NBA career. Goodwin's selection highlights his invaluable role as an energy player and defensive specialist for the Suns.

The details

Goodwin leads the Suns with 105 steals and is second on the team with 136 offensive rebounds, despite starting only 9 games. He ranks 8th in the NBA in total deflections and is one of just 5 guards league-wide averaging over 2 offensive boards per game. Goodwin has also stepped up his scoring, averaging a career-high 8.7 points per game while playing through a jaw injury that required him to wear a protective mask for much of the season.

  • Goodwin won the Majerle Hustle Award for the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • He suffered a jaw injury in December 2025 that required him to wear a protective mask for most of the season.

The players

Jordan Goodwin

A 27-year-old guard for the Phoenix Suns who was named the winner of the team's 2026 Majerle Hustle Award for his defensive intensity, rebounding, and improved scoring this season.

Dan Majerle

A member of the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor and two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, the Majerle Hustle Award is named after him in recognition of his hard-nosed, gritty style of play.

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The takeaway

Jordan Goodwin's selection as the Suns' 2026 Majerle Hustle Award winner underscores his invaluable contributions as a defensive-minded, high-energy player who has carved out a key role for himself on the team. His relentless effort and hustle have made him an integral part of the Suns' success this season.