ROCHESTER, NY--(Marketwired - May 30, 2013) - A panel of National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA) voters has chosen Miami Heat forward LeBron James as the overall Hickok Belt Award winner for 2012. James was selected based on an incredible performance throughout the year, which included being recognized as the NBA's Most Valuable Player, leading the Miami Heat to the franchise's first-ever NBA championship, and winning a gold medal with the U.S.A. men's basketball team at the 2012 London Olympics.

"On behalf of the NSSA, I'd like to congratulate LeBron on a tremendous year," said Dave Goren, Executive Director. "He's performing at an extremely high level and is such an exciting player to watch. Our voters really felt he stood out among a field of truly tremendous athletes."

Other finalists for the award included each of the 2012 Hickok Belt Award monthly winners, which finished in the following order, based on the NSSA voting: Usain Bolt (track & field), Adrian Peterson (football), Serena Williams (tennis), Eli Manning (football), Bubba Watson (golf), Pablo Sandoval (baseball), Linsey Vonn (skiing), Brad Keselowski (auto racing), Jeremy Lin (basketball), Josh Hamilton (baseball).

The selection of James not only crowns him as the "best of the best" across all professional sports, but it also marks another milestone in the return of the Hickok Belt Award, which has been dormant since 1976.

"LeBron James is the epitome of what the Hickok Belt Award has always represented -- an athlete at the very top of his game who overcomes every challenge to be the very best," said Tony Liccione of the Hickok Belt Award. "This award has such a rich history with past winners like Mickey Mantle, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Willie Mays. LeBron being named the first winner in over 36 years is a fitting way to pass the torch and celebrate the dawning of a new era for the award."

In addition to being named the overall winner for 2012, it was also announced that James was again selected as the Hickok Belt Award monthly winner for April 2013 -- marking the second month in a row he has received the honor for 2013.

To learn about the Hickok Belt Award, current monthly winners and the award's history, visit www.HickokBelt.com.