NBA Defensive Player of the Year History
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award recognizes the league's
most outstanding defensive player during the regular season. The award
was first presented following the 1982-83 season.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Sidney Moncrief became the first
winner and then won the award again in 1983-84, becoming the first
player to win it in consecutive seasons.
Over the years, the award has been won by guards, forwards and centers,
although big men have traditionally accounted for many of the winners.
Several of the greatest defenders in NBA history have won the award
multiple times.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winners
| Season |
Player |
Team |
| 2025-26 |
Victor Wembanyama |
San Antonio |
| 2024-25 |
Evan Mobley |
Cleveland |
| 2023-24 |
Rudy Gobert |
Minnesota |
| 2022-23 |
Jaren Jackson Jr. |
Memphis |
| 2021-22 |
Marcus Smart |
Boston |
| 2020-21 |
Rudy Gobert |
Utah |
| 2019-20 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
Milwaukee |
| 2018-19 |
Rudy Gobert |
Utah |
| 2017-18 |
Rudy Gobert |
Utah |
| 2016-17 |
Draymond Green |
Golden State |
| 2015-16 |
Kawhi Leonard |
San Antonio |
| 2014-15 |
Kawhi Leonard |
San Antonio |
| 2013-14 |
Joakim Noah |
Chicago |
| 2012-13 |
Marc Gasol |
Memphis |
| 2011-12 |
Tyson Chandler |
New York |
| 2010-11 |
Dwight Howard |
Orlando |
| 2009-10 |
Dwight Howard |
Orlando |
| 2008-09 |
Dwight Howard |
Orlando |
| 2007-08 |
Kevin Garnett |
Boston |
| 2006-07 |
Marcus Camby |
Denver |
| 2005-06 |
Ben Wallace |
Detroit |
| 2004-05 |
Ben Wallace |
Detroit |
| 2003-04 |
Ron Artest |
Indiana |
| 2002-03 |
Ben Wallace |
Detroit |
| 2001-02 |
Ben Wallace |
Detroit |
| 2000-01 |
Dikembe Mutombo |
Philadelphia-Atl |
| 1999-00 |
Alonzo Mourning |
Miami |
| 1998-99 |
Alonzo Mourning |
Miami |
| 1997-98 |
Dikembe Mutombo |
Atlanta |
| 1996-97 |
Dikembe Mutombo |
Atlanta |
| 1995-96 |
Gary Payton |
Seattle |
| 1994-95 |
Dikembe Mutombo |
Denver |
| 1993-94 |
Hakeem Olajuwon |
Houston |
| 1992-93 |
Hakeem Olajuwon |
Houston |
| 1991-92 |
David Robinson |
San Antonio |
| 1990-91 |
Dennis Rodman |
Detroit |
| 1989-90 |
Dennis Rodman |
Detroit |
| 1988-89 |
Mark Eaton |
Utah |
| 1987-88 |
Michael Jordan |
Chicago |
| 1986-87 |
Michael Cooper |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1985-86 |
Alvin Robertson |
San Antonio |
| 1984-85 |
Mark Eaton |
Utah |
| 1983-84 |
Sidney Moncrief |
Milwaukee |
| 1982-83 |
Sidney Moncrief |
Milwaukee |
Defensive Player of the Year Facts
-
Sidney Moncrief won the first NBA Defensive Player
of the Year Award in 1982-83.
-
Moncrief also won in 1983-84, making him the first player to win
the award twice.
-
Dikembe Mutombo won four Defensive Player of the
Year awards during his career.
-
Ben Wallace also won the award four times, all
while playing for Detroit.
-
Rudy Gobert has won the award four times, three
with Utah and one with Minnesota.
-
Dwight Howard won three consecutive Defensive
Player of the Year awards from 2008-09 through 2010-11.
-
Michael Jordan won the award in 1987-88, the same
season he was named NBA Most Valuable Player.
-
Hakeem Olajuwon won consecutive awards in
1992-93 and 1993-94.
-
Kawhi Leonard won consecutive awards in
2014-15 and 2015-16.
-
Victor Wembanyama is listed as the 2025-26 winner,
giving San Antonio another Defensive Player of the Year selection.
Explore NBA Awards
