Indiana Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith finishes third for NBA 2022-23 Hustle Award

Nesmith just wrapped up his first season with the Pacers

The NBA announced the finalists and winner of the 2022-23 Hustle Award on Thursday, and Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith was among the group.

Nesmith finished third, just ahead of Mitchell Robinson and Herb Jones and just behind Draymond Green and Marcus Smart. Smart, of the Boston Celtics, won the award for the second year in a row.

The award has been given out since the 2016-17 season, and Smart is a three-time winner. Former Pacer Thaddeus Young took home the trophy in 2020-21.

The Hustle Award is given to "players that make the effort plays that don’t often appear in the traditional box score but impact winning on a nightly basis," according to the NBA. Hustle stats play a factor in determining the winner.

That's why Smart fared so well. He ranked highly in charges drawn per game, deflections, loose balls recovered, and more. The Celtics guard won Defensive Player of the Year last season and is a disruptor every night.

Nesmith was among the finalists for similar reasons. He fared well in percentage of loose balls recovered, charges drawn, and more. The third-year forward played hard every night for the blue and gold.

That's why Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is such a fan of Nesmith. "He's what we're going to be about. That kind of attitude, that kind of approach," the coach said of Nesmith in March.

Nesmith averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Indiana this season. He broke out as a player, finally becoming an everyday piece in the NBA. His hustle played a part in that happening.

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