(PHOTOS/RECAP) LaMelo Ball, DaBaby, Naomi Osaka, Sha’Carri Richardson and More Celebrate Sports’ Biggest Night at 2021 ESPYS

Some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment were on hand at last night’s ESPYS, which celebrated the year’s best moments in sports.

Held in New York at The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the Seaport, the star-studded event recognized today’s top athletes for their achievements both on and off the field.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka, who recently made headlines for pulling out of the French Open and skipping Wimbeldon, made a triumphant return to the public spotlight, winning trophies for the best athlete in women’s sports and best women’s tennis player.

Accompanied at the event by boyfriend-rapper Cordae from YBN Collective, Osaka was gracious in her acceptance speech.

“I just really want to not say a long speech because I’m a bit nervous,” Osaka said. “This year has been a really, it hasn’t even finished, but it’s been really tough for a lot of us. For me, I just want to say I really love you guys.”

Hosted by actor Antony Mackie, this year’s ESPYs was moved from Los Angeles to New York for an outdoor, socially distanced show this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Other big winners on the night included Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball, who won as best breakthrough athlete. The best game award went to was Gonzaga’s 93-90 win over UCLA in the semifinals of the men’s NCAA Tournament. And DeVonta Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama and now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, won as best men’s college athlete.

In addition to the appearance from Osaka, sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson also attended the show in her first public appearance since testing positive for marijuana at the U.S. Olympic track trials and losing her spot on the team for Tokyo.

Each year, The ESPYS recognizes individuals in the world of sports who have demonstrated admirable perseverance, courage and strength in the face of adversity with three marquee awards: the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage and the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Actor Taye Diggs presented the Pat Tillman Award for Service to Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford for his advocacy work on homelessness and child hunger.

Later in the show, Tim Tebow presented the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance to Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to have completed an Ironman triathlon. Good Morning America Anchor Robin Roberts gave an emotional speech to present the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage to WNBA superstar and activist Maya Moore, who departed from the sport at the peak of her career to rededicate her life to criminal justice reform.

View full winners list and photos from the 2021 ESPYs red carpet below.

LaMelo Ball, DaBaby

Naomi Osaka

Sha’Carri Richardson

Tracy Morgan

Anthony Mackie

Ron Gronkowski

Matt James

Rachel Kirkconnell

Zaila Avant-Garde

Ally Love

Sasha Banks

Mero, Sha’Carri Richardson, Desus Nice

Chase Young

COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2021 ESPYS WINNERS

Best Athlete, Women’s Sports: Naomi Osaka, Tennis

Best Athlete, Men’s Sports: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best Breakthrough Athlete: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Best Game: NCAA Men’s Final Four: Gonzaga (93) vs. UCLA (90)

Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports: Paige Bueckers, University of Connecticut Basketball

Best College Athlete, Men’s Sports: DeVonta Smith, Alabama Football

Best Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL

Best Record-Breaking Performance: Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards – breaks Oscar Robertson’s 47year-old triple-double record with 182

Best Play: Kyler Murray Launches Hail Mary to DeAndre Hopkins (11/15/2020)

Best Championship Performance: Simone Biles

Best Championship Moment: Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series

Best Coach: Tara VanDerveer

Best International Athlete, Men’s Soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus/Portugal National Team

Best International Athlete, Women’s Soccer: Sam Mewis, Manchester City/USA National Team

Best NFL Player: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

Best NHL Player: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Best Driver: Lewis Hamilton, F1

Best NBA Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Best WNBA Player: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm

Best Boxer: Tyson Fury

Best MMA Fighter: Khabib Nurmagomedov

Best Athlete, Men’s Golf: Phil Mickelson

Best Athlete, Women’s Golf: Sei Young Kim

Best Athlete, Men’s Tennis: Novak Djokovic

Best Athlete, Women’s Tennis: Naomi Osaka

Best Athlete, Men’s Action Sports: Gabriel Medina, Surf (BRA)

Best Athlete, Women’s Action Sports: Chloe Kim, Snowboard (USA)

Best Jockey: Joel Rosario

Best Athlete with a Disability, Men’s Sports: Chris Nikic, Triathlon

Best Athlete with a Disability, Women’s Sports: Becca Murray, Wheelchair Basketball

Best Bowler: Tom Daugherty

Best MLS Player: Diego Rossi, Los Angeles FC

Best NWSL Player: Julie Ertz, Chicago Red Stars

Best WWE Moment: Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair make history as the first Black women to main event WrestleMania.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Chris Nikic

Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Maya Moore

Pat Tillman Award for Service: Marcus Rashford