By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff

The awards show, which helps fill the void in the major sports calendar in July, will air July 11 at 9 p.m.

Here's a look at the categories in which Boston has an entry.

Best Breakthrough Athlete: Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and former Harvard basketball player Jeremy Lin, who is now on the Knicks, were both nominated. They are up against Kentucky basketball player and NBA draft top pick Anthony Davis, Baylor QB and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, and women's soccer player Alex Morgan.

Best NFL Player: Gronkowski is facing stiff competition -- Saints QB Drew Brees, Lions WR Calvin Johnson, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Ravens LB Terrell Suggs.

Best NBA Player: Celtics guard Rajon Rondo is among six nominees. The others are Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Thunder forward Kevin Durant, Heat forward LeBron James, Timberwolves forward/center Kevin Love, and Spurs guard Tony Parker.

Boston plays a role in one other category, although not in a good way. The drama of the final night of the Major League Baseball season, on which the Red Sox completed their historic collapse with a loss to the Orioles, is one of four nominees for "Best Moment." The others are Derek Jeter's 3,000th-hit, Tim Tebow's sudden-death playoff touchdown pass, and Bubba Watson's Masters victory.