General
sixth man
What does sixth man mean?
A key reserve who does not start but plays significant minutes, effectively a sixth starter.
"He won Sixth Man of the Year as their spark off the bench."
Origin
Refers to being the sixth key player after the starting five.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sixth man in basketball?
A key reserve who doesn't start but plays significant minutes, effectively acting as a sixth starter.
Why is it called the sixth man?
Because five players start, so the first player off the bench is the sixth key contributor.
Is there an award for the sixth man?
Yes — the NBA gives out a Sixth Man of the Year award to the league's best reserve.
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