Stan Van Gundy didn’t have the success he had hoped this season, with the Pistons finishing 37-45 and missing the playoffs after a surprising trip to the postseason last year.
But Van Gundy was recognized for his contributions to the media and coaching excellence, as he was named the winner of the 2016-17 Rudy Tomjanovic Award, presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
Van Gundy was voted the winner by a panel of PBWA members, which includes 205 writers and editors who regularly cover the NBA.
“While his team failed to reach the playoffs, the 57-year-old was a champion when dealing with the media,” the PBWA wrote in a statement.