NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

National Basketball Association award

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

Ben Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo and Rudy Gobert have won the award a record four times.

Sport| Basketball
League| National Basketball Association
Awarded for| Best defensive player in regular season of the National Basketball Association
History
First award| 1982–83
Most wins| 4 (three-way tie)

* Dikembe Mutombo, Denver Nuggets/Atlanta Hawks/Philadelphia 76ers (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)
* Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)
* Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz/Minnesota Timberwolves (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024)

Most recent| Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (2024)
National Basketball Association awards and honors

Team awards

* Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
* Bob Cousy Trophy
* Maurice Podoloff Trophy
* Wayne Embry Trophy
* Willis Reed Trophy
* Chuck Cooper Trophy

* Walter A. Brown Trophy (defunct)
* Oscar Robertson Trophy
* Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton Trophy
* Earl Lloyd Trophy
* Sam Jones Trophy
* NBA Cup

|

Individual awards

* All-Star Game MVP
* Clutch Player of the Year
* Coach of the Year
* Comeback Player of the Year (defunct)
* Community Assist Award
* Defensive Player of the Year
* Sixth Man of the Year
* Finals MVP
* Hustle Award
* J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

* IBM Award (defunct)
* Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion
* Most Improved Player
* Most Valuable Player
* Rookie of the Year
* Executive of the Year
* Conference Finals MVP
* Sportsmanship Award
* Twyman–Stokes Teammate of the Year
* Lifetime Achievement Award

|

Honors

* All-NBA Team
* All-Rookie Team

* All-Defensive Team

|

* v
* t
* e

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 1982–83 NBA season to the best defensive player of the regular season. The winner is selected by a panel of 124 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada, each of whom casts a vote for first, second and third place selections. Each first-place vote is worth five points, second-place votes are worth three points, and a third-place vote is worth one. The player with the highest point total, regardless of the number of first-place votes, wins the award.[1][2] Since the 2022–23 NBA season, winners receive the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy, named after the two-time defensive player of the year winner.

Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, and Rudy Gobert have each won the award a record four times.[3] Dwight Howard has won the award three times,[4] and is the only player ever to have won it in three consecutive seasons.[5] Sidney Moncrief, Mark Eaton, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olajuwon, Alonzo Mourning and Kawhi Leonard have each won it twice. The most recent award recipient is Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although five of the first six winners were perimeter players, the award has traditionally been given to big men who rebound and block shots.[6][7] Only eight perimeter players have been honored: Moncrief, Alvin Robertson, Michael Cooper, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Ron Artest, Kawhi Leonard[8] and Marcus Smart. Payton and Smart are the only two point guards to have won.[9] Jordan, Olajuwon, David Robinson, Kevin Garnett and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only winners to have also won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) during their careers;[10] Jordan, Olajuwon and Antetokounmpo won both awards in the same season.[8] In Olajuwon's case, he is the only one to have also won the NBA Finals MVP Award and the NBA championship in the same season.[11] Jordan is the only recipient to have also won the scoring title in the same season,[12] when he also became the only player to win the award while averaging over 30 points per game (35.0).[13] On four occasions, the Defensive Player of the Year recipient was not voted to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in the same year. Robertson in 1986, Mutombo (1995), Tyson Chandler (2012), and Marc Gasol (2013) were instead named to the second team. Whereas the Defensive Player of the Year is voted on by the media, the All-Defensive teams were voted on by NBA coaches prior to 2014.[14][15]

Effective with the 2023–24 season, when a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and its players' union takes effect, players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for most major regular-season awards, including Defensive Player of the Year. To receive credit for a game for purposes of award eligibility, a player must have been credited with at least 20 minutes played. However, two "near misses", in which the player appeared for 15 to 19 minutes, can be included in the 65-game count. Protections also exist for players who suffer season-ending injuries, who are eligible with 62 credited games, and those affected by what the CBA calls "bad faith circumstances".[16][17]

## Winners

[edit]

Michael Jordan is one of five players to have won both an MVP and a Defensive Player of the Year award in their career. David Robinson won the award in the 1991–92 NBA season. Gary Payton was the first point guard to win the award.[18] Dwight Howard won the award in three consecutive years (2009–2011). Rudy Gobert won the award four times in a seven season span. ^  | Denotes player who is still active in the NBA

|

*  | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
†  | Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[a]
§  | 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2025[19]
Player (#)  | Denotes the number of times the player has received the award
Team (#)  | Denotes the number of times a player from this team has won
Season  | Player  | Position  | Nationality  | Team

|
|
|
|

1982–83 | Sidney Moncrief*  | Shooting guard |  United States | Milwaukee Bucks
1983–84 | Sidney Moncrief* (2)  | Shooting guard |  United States  | Milwaukee Bucks (2)
1984–85 | Mark Eaton | Center |  United States  | Utah Jazz
1985–86 | Alvin Robertson | Shooting guard |  United States  | San Antonio Spurs
1986–87 | Michael Cooper*[b] | Shooting guard |  United States  | Los Angeles Lakers
1987–88 | Michael Jordan*[c] | Shooting guard |  United States  | Chicago Bulls
1988–89 | Mark Eaton (2)  | Center |  United States  | Utah Jazz (2)
1989–90 | Dennis Rodman*[b] | Small forward |  United States  | Detroit Pistons
1990–91 | Dennis Rodman* (2)  | Small forward |  United States  | Detroit Pistons (2)
1991–92 | David Robinson*  | Center |  United States  | San Antonio Spurs (2)
1992–93 | Hakeem Olajuwon*  | Center |  Nigeria[d] | Houston Rockets
1993–94 | Hakeem Olajuwon* (2)[b][c] | Center |  Nigeria[d] | Houston Rockets (2)
1994–95 | Dikembe Mutombo*  | Center |  Zaire[e] | Denver Nuggets
1995–96 | Gary Payton*  | Point guard |  United States  | Seattle SuperSonics
1996–97 | Dikembe Mutombo* (2)  | Center |  Zaire[e] | Atlanta Hawks
1997–98 | Dikembe Mutombo* (3)  | Center |  DR Congo[e] | Atlanta Hawks (2)
1998–99 | Alonzo Mourning*  | Center |  United States  | Miami Heat
1999–00 | Alonzo Mourning* (2)  | Center |  United States  | Miami Heat (2)
2000–01 | Dikembe Mutombo* (4)  | Center |  DR Congo[e] | Philadelphia 76ers
2001–02 | Ben Wallace*  | Center |  United States  | Detroit Pistons (3)
2002–03 | Ben Wallace* (2)  | Center |  United States  | Detroit Pistons (4)
2003–04 | Ron Artest | Small forward |  United States  | Indiana Pacers
2004–05 | Ben Wallace* (3)  | Center |  United States  | Detroit Pistons (5)
2005–06 | Ben Wallace* (4)  | Center |  United States  | Detroit Pistons (6)
2006–07 | Marcus Camby | Center |  United States  | Denver Nuggets (2)
2007–08 | Kevin Garnett*[b] | Power forward |  United States  | Boston Celtics
2008–09 | Dwight Howard† | Center |  United States  | Orlando Magic
2009–10 | Dwight Howard† (2)  | Center |  United States  | Orlando Magic (2)
2010–11 | Dwight Howard† (3)  | Center |  United States  | Orlando Magic (3)
2011–12 | Tyson Chandler | Center |  United States  | New York Knicks
2012–13 | Marc Gasol§ | Center |  Spain | Memphis Grizzlies
2013–14 | Joakim Noah | Center |  France[f] | Chicago Bulls (2)
2014–15 | Kawhi Leonard^  | Small forward |  United States  | San Antonio Spurs (3)
2015–16 | Kawhi Leonard^ (2)  | Small forward |  United States  | San Antonio Spurs (4)
2016–17 | Draymond Green^[b] | Power forward |  United States  | Golden State Warriors
2017–18 | Rudy Gobert^  | Center |  France  | Utah Jazz (3)
2018–19 | Rudy Gobert^ (2)  | Center |  France  | Utah Jazz (4)
2019–20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo^[c] | Power forward |  Greece | Milwaukee Bucks (3)
2020–21 | Rudy Gobert^ (3)  | Center |  France  | Utah Jazz (5)
2021–22 | Marcus Smart^  | Point guard |  United States  | Boston Celtics (2)
2022–23 | Jaren Jackson Jr.^  | Power forward |  United States  | Memphis Grizzlies (2)
2023–24 | Rudy Gobert^ (4)  | Center |  France  | Minnesota Timberwolves

## Multi-time winners

[edit]

Awards | Player | Team | Years

|
|
|

4 |  Dikembe Mutombo | Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks (2), Philadelphia 76ers | 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001
Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons | 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz (3), Minnesota Timberwolves | 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
3 |  Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic | 2009, 2010, 2011
2 |  Sidney Moncrief | Milwaukee Bucks | 1983, 1984
Mark Eaton | Utah Jazz | 1985, 1989
Dennis Rodman | Detroit Pistons | 1990, 1991
Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | 1993, 1994
Alonzo Mourning | Miami Heat | 1999, 2000
Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs | 2015, 2016

## Teams

[edit]

Awards | Teams | Years

|
|

6  | Detroit Pistons | 1990, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
5  | Utah Jazz | 1985, 1989, 2018, 2019, 2021
4  | San Antonio Spurs | 1986, 1992, 2015, 2016
3  | Milwaukee Bucks | 1983, 1984, 2020
Orlando Magic | 2009, 2010, 2011
2  | Atlanta Hawks | 1997, 1998
Boston Celtics | 2008, 2022
Chicago Bulls | 1988, 2014
Denver Nuggets | 1995, 2007
Houston Rockets | 1993, 1994
Miami Heat | 1999, 2000
Memphis Grizzlies | 2013, 2023
1  | Golden State Warriors | 2017
Indiana Pacers | 2004
Los Angeles Lakers | 1987
Minnesota Timberwolves | 2024
New York Knicks | 2012
Philadelphia 76ers | 2001
Seattle SuperSonics | 1996
0  | Brooklyn Nets | None
Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks
Los Angeles Clippers
New Orleans Pelicans
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards

## See also

[edit]

* NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year Award
* NBA records

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years.
2. ^ a b c d e Won NBA championship in same season
3. ^ a b c Won NBA Most Valuable Player Award in same season
4. ^ a b Hakeem Olajuwon was born in Nigeria, but became a naturalized United States citizen in 1993.[20]
5. ^ a b c d Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May 1997.[21]
6. ^ Noah was born in the United States to a French father and a Swedish mother, and has played on the France national basketball team.[22]

## References

[edit]

General

* "Defensive Player of the Year". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2008.
* "Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2008.

Specific

1. ^ "Nuggets' Camby Wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. May 1, 2007. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
2. ^ "Kevin Garnett Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 25, 2008. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
3. ^ "Ben Wallace Wins Fourth Defensive Player of the Year Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. May 8, 2006. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
4. ^ Botemps, Tim (June 10, 2021). "Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert wins 3rd career NBA Defensive Player of Year award". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
5. ^ McMenamin, Dave (February 5, 2013). "Dwight Howard trying to avoid 'circus'". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013.
6. ^ Stein, Marc (January 8, 2004). "Defending the little guy". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016.
7. ^ Moore, Matt (April 7, 2015). "Rethinking Defensive Player of the Year: The Defensive Duo Award". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016.
8. ^ a b Winderman, Ira (April 24, 2013). "LeBron second in vote for NBA Defensive Player of Year". South Floria Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022.
9. ^ "Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for first time". ESPN.com. April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
10. ^ Velazquez, Matt (August 25, 2020). "Giannis Antetokounmpo is named NBA defensive player of the year and wants to share the credit". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
11. ^ "Hakeem Olajuwon Bio". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
12. ^ Sakamoto, Bob (May 25, 1988). "JORDAN EASILY DEFEATS BIRD IN MVP VOTING". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
13. ^ "By the numbers: Michel Jordan's unparalleled Bull career". NBC Sports Chicago. February 18, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
14. ^ Begley, Ian (May 23, 2012). "Tyson named to all-defensive second team". ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012.
15. ^ McGraw, Mike (June 2, 2014). "Noah dominates all-defensive voting". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
16. ^ Helin, Kurt (April 18, 2023). "More details emerge on new NBA CBA, including details on 65-game threshold for awards". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
17. ^ "Article XXIX, Section 6: Games Played Requirement for Certain League Honors" (PDF). NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement. National Basketball Players Association. July 2023. pp. 432–38. Retrieved September 13, 2023. The games played requirement specifically applies to the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Improved Player awards, as well as the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams.
18. ^ Gress, Steve (September 4, 2013). "Looking back at The Glove". Corvallis Gazette-Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014.
19. ^ "2025 Hall of Fame Candidates". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
20. ^ "Hakeem Olajuwon Bio: 1992–93". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
21. ^ "Democratic Republic of the Congo". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
22. ^ "Joakim Noah". HoopsHype.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.

* v
* t
* e

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award

* 1983: Moncrief
* 1984: Moncrief
* 1985: Eaton
* 1986: Robertson
* 1987: Cooper
* 1988: Jordan
* 1989: Eaton
* 1990: Rodman
* 1991: Rodman
* 1992: Robinson
* 1993: Olajuwon
* 1994: Olajuwon
* 1995: Mutombo
* 1996: Payton
* 1997: Mutombo
* 1998: Mutombo
* 1999: Mourning
* 2000: Mourning
* 2001: Mutombo
* 2002: Wallace
* 2003: Wallace
* 2004: Artest
* 2005: Wallace
* 2006: Wallace
* 2007: Camby
* 2008: Garnett
* 2009: Howard
* 2010: Howard
* 2011: Howard
* 2012: Chandler
* 2013: Gasol
* 2014: Noah
* 2015: Leonard
* 2016: Leonard
* 2017: Green
* 2018: Gobert
* 2019: Gobert
* 2020: Antetokounmpo
* 2021: Gobert
* 2022: Smart
* 2023: Jackson Jr.
* 2024: Gobert

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template