Highlights from the 2024 ESPY Awards After Serena Williams Hosts and Prince Harry Is Honored

South Carolina Gamecocks Named Best Team at 2024 ESPYS

From a national championship to the ESPYS stage, the South Carolina Gamecocks are still coming out on top.

After winning the NCAA women's basketball tournament in April, the Gamecocks were named the best team at the 2024 ESPY Awards, beating out everyone from the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, to Michigan football, the UConn men's basketball team, Oklahoma Sooners baseball, the Boston Celtics, the Florida Panthers and the Texas Rangers.

Earlier in the night, Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for her influence in women's sports and for her advocacy for cancer research. Staley's sister was diagnosed with leukemia, and her close friend and fellow basketball coach Nicki McCray-Penson died of breast cancer.

"I must confess I feel a little undeserving of this recognition. Past recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves as true warriors," Staley said. "I have merely been a spectator to such immense courage and resilience."

Simone Biles Is the Comeback Athlete of the Year at the 2024 ESPYS

Simone Biles' comeback tour continues with a win for best comeback athlete at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the gymnast, 27, nabbed the honor over the Cleveland Browns' Joe Flacco, UConn basketball's Paige Bueckers and the New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson.

Serena Williams and Quinta Brunson Tell Harrison Butker 'We Don't Need You'

Serena Williams and Quinta Brunson likely won't be hanging out with Harrison Butker at any ESPYS afterparties.

During a segment with Venus Williams at the 2024 ESPY Awards, the three women jokingly gave the crowd an introduction to women's sports and "tips on how to enjoy them," as leagues like the WNBA see record-breaking audiences.

After Venus told viewers to “go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sport," Serena quickly interjected, “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you.” Then, Brunson deadpanned: “At all, like, ever.”

The camera did not pan to Butker, who was in attendance and walked the red carpet but did not stop for the media before the ceremony.

Patrick Mahomes Wins Back-to-Back Best Male Athlete ESPYS

Patrick Mahomes just went back-to-back — again!

After winning his second Super Bowl championship in a row (and his third in five years), Mahomes, 28, went two in a row again at the 2024 ESPY Awards, where he earned the prize for best athlete, men's sports, a repeat of 2023.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, who also won the ESPY Award for best NFL player, did not attend the annual awards show. His head coach, Andy Reid, accepted on his behalf. “Listen, I am honored to be here, to pick up this award for Patrick,” the coach, 66, began. “I’ve been around this kid for two years now, and to watch him grow as a football player, as a teammate, as a leader has been phenomenal.”

And the 2024 ESPY Awards for Best MLB and NBA Players Are...

Shohei Ohtani and Luka Dončić won big at the 2024 ESPY Awards. Los Angeles Dodgers star Ohtani was named the best MLB player whileDončić of the Dallas Mavericks got the best NBA player honor.

Also up for the baseball award were Ronald Acuña of the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole and Texas Ranger Corey Seager.

Meanwhile, the other nominees for best NBA player were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets and Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics.

Prince Harry Accepts the Pat Tillman Award for Service

Prince Harry was honored for his impact on the veteran community through the Invictus Games. 

After thanking the Pat Tillman Foundation, The Duke of Sussex, 39,  thanked Pat's family and mother, Mary Tillman, saying that her "advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.” 

(After it was announced that Harry would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service this year, named in honor of the NFL player who enlisted in the military after 9/11 and died in Afghanistan in 2004 at age 27, Mary spoke out against him getting the recognition.) 

"The truth is I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality. This award belongs to them, not to me," Duke of Sussex said. "That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes and their amazing families for their achievements, their spirit and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this in front of people like you."

A'ja Wilson Nabs Best Women’s Athlete Award

Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP who plays for the Las Vegas Aces won big on Thursday, July 11, picking up the award for best athlete, women's sports. In the process, she beat out fellow basketball star Caitlin Clark, as well as tennis phenom Coco Gauff and pro golfer Nelly Korda.

Although Wilson couldn't be there in person to celebrate her big win, she did send in a video thanking fans.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Enjoy Date Night at the ESPYs

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among those in attendance at the annual awards show — and it didn't take long before the couple got a little love from Williams.

"It's well, actually only pretty often that I get to be in a room with actual royalty, and tonight is no exception," Williams said during her opening monologue. "Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let's give it up for them."

JuJu Watkins Named Best Breakthrough Athlete

The USC women's basketball star picked up one of the first awards of the night, being named the best breakthrough athlete.

Before the athlete's name was called, presenter GloRilla made an understandable gaffe, initially saying "artist" instead of athlete. "My bad," the rapper said as the crowd laughed along.

Serena Williams Has Jokes for Days in Opening Monologue

Serena Williams is bringing the looks — and the laughter — to the 2024 ESPY Awards.

The tennis legend, 42, stepped out on the award show stage as Ciara concluded her performance, and spared no time bringing the crowd in on her opening monologue.

Williams led off by congratulating Russell Wilson on his relationship with Ciara, “because dang," referring to her performance just a few minutes earlier.

Another joke took aim at Caitlin Clark, who Williams said "had an amazing year."

"Caitlin you are Larry Bird in that you’re an amazing player, you have ties to Indiana and white people are really crazy about you," she joked about the Fever guard.

Turning the attention to Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are up for the best team award, Williams jokingly jabbed that "Patrick Mahomes and Taylor Swift's boyfriend won the Super Bowl" this year.

Ciara Heats Up the 2024 ESPY Awards with Live Performances of Some of Her Biggest Tracks

The 2024 ESPYS Award ceremony is off to a bang — courtesy of Ciara.

The singer, 38, opened the award show with a performance of her hit song "Goodies," which she then transitioned into "1,2 Step," her collaboration with Missy Elliott.

Taking to the stage in a skin-tight black ensemble, Ciara gave a nod to Serena Williams by playing clips of the star tennis player on the screen behind her while backup dancers joined in on the choreography.

The performance ended with a rendition of "Level Up," which garnered Ciara a standing ovation from the likes of Damar Hamlin and other NFL players in attendance.

Caitlin Clark Nabs Award for Best College Athlete, Women's Sports at 2024 ESPY Awards

Caitlin Clark has added yet another accolade under her belt.

The Indiana Fever Guard, 22, won the 2024 ESPY award for best college athlete, coming at the heels of her legendary college basketball career with the Iowa Hawkeyes and signing to the Fever afterward.

Clark was up for the title alongside Haleigh Bryant, Sarah Franklin and Izzy Scane.

This isn't Clark's first ESPY win, as the athlete nabbed the same title at the 2023 edition of the award show. She was also previously nominated for best breakthrough athlete, but lost to Angel Reese.

A'Ja Wilson Wins Best WNBA Player Award at 2024 ESPYS

A'Ja Wilson has secured a huge win at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

The Las Vegas Aces player, 27, nabbed the award for best WNBA player, announced during the red carpet.

Wilson was up for the title alongside Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty and Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun.

This is the second year that Wilson has taken home the title, with her 2023 win being her first ESPY. She was also previously nominated for best college athlete in 2018.

See the Stars Arriving at the 2024 ESPY Awards Red Carpet

The 2024 ESPYS red carpet is heating up!

The sporting world's biggest award night is a magnet for stars involved in and adjacent to athletics - and this year is no different.

Serena Williams, who is hosting the 2024 ESPY Awards, took to the red carpet in a body-hugging black dress accentuated with jewel-encrusted straps and bottom hem.

Denise Austin and Katie Austin took to the carpet in a shimmering silver dress and a cutaway red ensemble, respectively, embracing with smiles as they flexed their arm muscles for the camera.

Dancing with the Stars icon Maksim Chmerkovskiy also stepped out for the 2024 ESPYS red carpet donning a white patterned suit with a black shirt underneath and matching black shoes.

Notably, Louisiana State University Gymnastics star Olivia Dunne walked the carpet in a flowing golden dress and was photographed separately from other LSU student-athletes in attendance, who appeared on the carpet as a group.

Other stars in attendance on the carpet so far have included Candace and Anya Parker, Alexis Ohanian, Nick Viall and Natalie Joy and Halle Bailey, among others.

For inside looks at more of the celebrities in attendance, check out PEOPLE's 2024 ESPY Awards red carpet arrival gallery.

Patrick Mahomes Wins 'Best NFL Player' Award at 2024 ESPYs

Patrick Mahomes' win at the 2024 ESPYS came before the first attendees even hit the red carpet!

Mahomes, 28, was awarded his second consecutive best NFL player victory on Wednesday, July 10, during the ESPN afternoon show NFL Live. Mahomes also won the same award in 2019.

Other players in the running for the award were San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett.

Though the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback finished 2023 with 4,183 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, a lower figure than previous seasons, his successes included two road game wins, a third Super Bowl MVP trophy and leading the Chiefs to their third Lombardi trophy in five years.

In response to the win, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Grateful. Thank you @ESPYS."

Mahomes secured an early victory with best NFL player, but he's still up for best athlete, men's sports, in which he's nominated alongside Shohei Ohtani, Scottie Scheffler and Connor McDavid.

The 2023 ESPYS was a fruitful night for Kansas City, with Mahomes taking home both best NFL player and best athlete, men's sports awards. The Chiefs also nabbed the best team award at that show.

"I’ve grown up watching the ESPYS and seeing a lot of great athletes win awards, and to be on this stage winning this award is a tremendous honor,” Mahomes said at the 2023 ESPYs after being named the best NFL player. “But it all wouldn’t be possible without God. So I want to thank him first. I truly believe that it was an incredible season.”

The Chiefs are up for best team at the award show yet again in 2024, with the South Carolina Gamecocks, Michigan Wolverines, Las Vegas Aces, University of Connecticut Huskies, Oklahoma Sooners, Boston Celtics, Florida Panthers and Texas Rangers also nominated for the prestigious title.

Serena Williams Is Feeling 'Nervous' About Her ESPYS Hosting Gig

Serena Williams is a pro in front of a big audience — when she's not playing tennis, only.

Ahead of her first-ever ESPYS hosting gig, she told Good Morning America in an interview this week that she's "definitely nervous."

"I've been in rehearsals and it's going OK," she said, before adding that she's "totally intimidated by large crowds when I'm not playing tennis."

Luckily, there will be some other incredible female athletes gathered to help her feel confident. Said Williams, "This is the year for ladies in sport, and I'm excited to see all the ladies kind of rule the ESPYS and just be super awesome."