View source for NBA Defensive Player of the Year

{{Short description|National Basketball Association award}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox sports award
| name        = NBA Defensive Player of the Year
| image       = {{multiple image
| total_width = 300
| image_style = border:none
| border = none
| align = center
| image1 = Ben Wallace 4104263221 (cropped2).jpg
| image2 = Lipofsky-Dikembe Mutombo (cropped).jpg
| image3 = Rudy Gobert.jpg
| footer = [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]], [[Dikembe Mutombo]] and [[Rudy Gobert]] have each won the award a record four times.
}}
| alt         = 
| caption     =
| sport       = [[Basketball]]
| league      = [[National Basketball Association]]
| givenfor    = Best defensive player in regular season of the [[National Basketball Association]]
| first       = {{NBA Year|1982}}
| mostwins    = '''4''' (three-way tie)<br />
* [[Dikembe Mutombo]], [[Denver Nuggets]]/[[Atlanta Hawks]]/[[Philadelphia 76ers]] ({{nbay|1994|end}}, {{nbay|1996|end}}, {{nbay|1997|end}}, {{nbay|2000|end}})
* [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]], [[Detroit Pistons]] ({{nbay|2001|end}}, {{nbay|2002|end}}, {{nbay|2004|end}}, {{nbay|2005|end}})
* [[Rudy Gobert]], [[Utah Jazz]]/[[Minnesota Timberwolves]] ({{nbay|2017|end}}, {{nbay|2018|end}}, {{nbay|2020|end}}, {{nbay|2023|end}})
| mostrecent  = [[Evan Mobley]], [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] ({{nbay|2024|end}})
}}
{{NBA Awards}}
The '''NBA Defensive Player of the Year''' 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/camby_defensiveplayer_070427.html |title=Nuggets' Camby Wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|access-date=July 7, 2008 |date=May 1, 2007 |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc |work=NBA.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108103334/http://www.nba.com/news/camby_defensiveplayer_070427.html|archive-date=November 8, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="garnett">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/garnett_defensive_080422.html |title=Kevin Garnett Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award|access-date=July 10, 2008 |date=April 25, 2008 |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc |work=NBA.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629161405/http://www.nba.com/news/garnett_defensive_080422.html|archive-date=June 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 (basketball)|Ben Wallace]], and [[Rudy Gobert]] have each won the award a record four times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40102549/timberwolves-rudy-gobert-named-defensive-player-year|title=Gobert ties NBA record with fourth DPOY award|date=May 7, 2024|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> [[Dwight Howard]] has won the award three times,<ref>{{cite news|first=Tim|last=Botemps|title=Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert wins 3rd career NBA Defensive Player of Year award|date=June 10, 2021|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31600264/utah-jazz-center-rudy-gobert-wins-3rd-career-nba-defensive-player-year-award|access-date=July 4, 2021}}</ref> and is the only player ever to have won it in three consecutive seasons.<ref>{{cite news |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |title=Dwight Howard trying to avoid 'circus' |date=February 5, 2013 |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8915802/dwight-howard-los-angeles-lakers-remains-focused-season |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206035457/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8915802/dwight-howard-los-angeles-lakers-remains-focused-season |archive-date=February 6, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sidney Moncrief]], [[Mark Eaton]], [[Dennis Rodman]], [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], [[Alonzo Mourning]] and [[Kawhi Leonard]] have each won it twice. The most recent award recipient is [[Evan Mobley]] of the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]].

Although five of the first six winners were perimeter players, the award has traditionally been given to big men who [[rebound (basketball)|rebound]] and [[block (basketball)|block]] shots.<ref name=stein_01082004>{{cite news |last=Stein |first=Marc |title=Defending the little guy |date=January 8, 2004 |website=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1704271&type=Columnist&imagesPrint=off |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217003910/http://espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1704271&type=Columnist&imagesPrint=off |archive-date=February 17, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Matt |title=Rethinking Defensive Player of the Year: The Defensive Duo Award |date=April 7, 2015 |website=CBSSports.com |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25139157/rethinking-defensive-player-of-the-year-the-defensive-duo-award |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302004258/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25139157/rethinking-defensive-player-of-the-year-the-defensive-duo-award |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Only eight perimeter players have been honored: Moncrief, [[Alvin Robertson]], [[Michael Cooper]], [[Michael Jordan]], [[Gary Payton]], [[Ron Artest]], [[Kawhi Leonard]]<ref name="winderman_04242013">{{cite news |last=Winderman |first=Ira |title=LeBron second in vote for NBA Defensive Player of Year |date=April 24, 2013 |newspaper=South Floria Sun Sentinel |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-xpm-2013-04-24-sfl-miami-heat-lebron-james-s042413-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315221207/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-xpm-2013-04-24-sfl-miami-heat-lebron-james-s042413-story.html |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Marcus Smart]]. Payton and Smart are the only two [[point guard]]s to have won.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for first time|date=April 18, 2022|website=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33763528/boston-celtics-marcus-smart-wins-nba-defensive-player-year-award-first|access-date=April 19, 2022}}</ref> 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;<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Velazquez |title=Giannis Antetokounmpo is named NBA defensive player of the year and wants to share the credit |date=August 25, 2020 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2020/08/25/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-named-nba-defensive-player-year/3438568001/|access-date=August 26, 2020|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101170200/https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2020/08/25/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-named-nba-defensive-player-year/3438568001/|url-status=live}}</ref> Jordan, Olajuwon and Antetokounmpo won both awards in the same season.<ref name=winderman_04242013 /> In Olajuwon's case, he is the only one to have also won the [[NBA Finals MVP Award]] and the [[List of NBA champions|NBA championship]] in the same season.<ref name="olajuwon">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/olajuwon_bio.html |title=Hakeem Olajuwon Bio|access-date=July 10, 2008 |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc |work=NBA.com|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622200025/http://www.nba.com/history/players/olajuwon_bio.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Jordan is the only recipient to have also won the [[List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders|scoring title]] in the same season,<ref>{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Sakamoto|title=JORDAN EASILY DEFEATS BIRD IN MVP VOTING|date=May 25, 1988|work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-05-25-8802010234-story.html|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> when he also became the only player to win the award while averaging over 30&nbsp;points per game (35.0).<ref>{{cite news|title=By the numbers: Michel Jordan's unparalleled Bull career|date=February 18, 2016|work=NBC Sports Chicago|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/chicago-bulls/numbers-michael-jordans-unparalleled-bulls-career|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Begley |first=Ian |title=Tyson named to all-defensive second team |date=May 23, 2012 |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/19852/tyson-named-to-nbas-all-defensive-second-team |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626100842/http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/19852/tyson-named-to-nbas-all-defensive-second-team |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McGraw |first=Mike |title=Noah dominates all-defensive voting |date=June 2, 2014 |newspaper=Daily Herald |url=http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/7925 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151204/http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/7925 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

As part of efforts to reduce [[Load management (sports)|load management]]  for star players in the league, effective with the [[2023–24 NBA season|2023–24 season]], when a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and [[National Basketball Players Association|its players' union]] took 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/more-details-emerge-on-new-nba-cba-including-details-on-65-game-threshold-for-awards |title=More details emerge on new NBA CBA, including details on 65-game threshold for awards |first=Kurt |last=Helin |work=NBC Sports |date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://imgix.cosmicjs.com/25da5eb0-15eb-11ee-b5b3-fbd321202bdf-Final-2023-NBA-Collective-Bargaining-Agreement-6-28-23.pdf |title=Article XXIX, Section 6: Games Played Requirement for Certain League Honors |work=NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement |publisher=National Basketball Players Association |pages=432–38 |date=July 2023 |access-date=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.</ref>

== Winners ==
[[File:Jordan by Lipofsky 16577.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Michael Jordan]] is one of five players to have won both an MVP and a Defensive Player of the Year award in their career.|alt=head shot of Michael Jordan]]
[[File:David Robinson spurs (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[David Robinson]] won the award in the 1991–92 NBA season.|alt=head shot of David Robinson]]
[[File:PaytonHeat.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gary Payton]] was the first point guard to win the award.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gress |first=Steve |title=Looking back at The Glove |date=September 4, 2013 |newspaper=Corvallis Gazette-Times |url=http://www.gazettetimes.com/blogs/beavers-blog/looking-back-at-the-glove/article_2c153f2c-1595-11e3-8dbd-0019bb2963f4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231202421/http://www.gazettetimes.com/blogs/beavers-blog/looking-back-at-the-glove/article_2c153f2c-1595-11e3-8dbd-0019bb2963f4.html |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
[[File:Dwight howard 2009z.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Dwight Howard]] won the award in three consecutive years (2009–2011).|alt=Dwight Howard at a game]]

[[File:Rudy Gobert.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Rudy Gobert]] won the award four times in a seven-season span.]]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|style="background-color:#CFECEC"; width:6em"|^
|Denotes player who is still active in the NBA
|-
|style="background-color:#FFFF99; width:6em"|*
|Inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]<!--
|-
|style="background:#CCFF99; width:1em"|†
|Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration{{efn|A player is not eligible for induction into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] until he has been fully retired for two calendar years.}}-->
|-
|style="background:#F0E130; width:1em"|§
|1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2025<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/hof.cgi |title=2025 Hall of Fame Candidates |website=basketball-reference.com |access-date=April 9, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|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
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" summary="Season (sortable), Player (sortable), Position (sortable), Nationality (sortable) and Team (sortable)"
|-
!scope="col"| Season
!scope="col"| Player
!scope="col"| Position
!scope="col"| Nationality
!scope="col"| Team
|-
| {{nbay|1982}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Sidney|Moncrief}}*
| [[Shooting guard]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
|-
| {{nbay|1983}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Sidney|Moncrief}}* (2)
| [[Shooting guard]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|1984}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"| {{sortname|Mark|Eaton}}
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]]
|-
| {{nbay|1985}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"| {{sortname|Alvin|Robertson}}
| [[Shooting guard]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]]
|-
| {{nbay|1986}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Michael|Cooper}}*{{#tag:ref|Won [[List of NBA champions|NBA championship]] in same season|group=lower-alpha|name=note_a}}
| [[Shooting guard]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
|-
| {{nbay|1987}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Michael|Jordan}}*{{#tag:ref|Won [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]] in same season|group=lower-alpha|name=note_b}}
| [[Shooting guard]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]]
|-
| {{nbay|1988}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"| {{sortname|Mark|Eaton}} (2)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Utah Jazz]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|1989}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Dennis|Rodman}}*<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_a />
| [[Small forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]]
|-
| {{nbay|1990}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Dennis|Rodman}}* (2)
| [[Small forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|1991}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|David|Robinson}}*
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|1992}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Hakeem|Olajuwon}}*
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}{{#tag:ref|Hakeem Olajuwon was born in [[Nigeria]], but became a naturalized United States citizen in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hakeem_olajuwon/bio.html |title=Hakeem Olajuwon Bio: 1992–93 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc |work=NBA.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516203041/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hakeem_olajuwon/bio.html |archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha|name=note_c}}
| [[Houston Rockets]]
|-
| {{nbay|1993}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Hakeem|Olajuwon}}* (2)<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_a /><ref group=lower-alpha name=note_b />
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_c />
| [[Houston Rockets]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|1994}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Dikembe|Mutombo}}*
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{ZAI}}{{#tag:ref|[[Zaire]] was renamed the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] in May 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/congo-democratic-republic-of-the/ |title=Democratic Republic of the Congo |work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha|name=note_d}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]]
|-
| {{nbay|1995}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Gary|Payton}}*
| [[Point guard]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Seattle SuperSonics]]
|-
| {{nbay|1996}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Dikembe|Mutombo}}* (2)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|Zaire}}<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_d />
| [[Atlanta Hawks]]
|-
| {{nbay|1997}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Dikembe|Mutombo}}* (3)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flag|DR Congo|1997}}<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_d />
| [[Atlanta Hawks]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|1998}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Alonzo|Mourning}}*
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Miami Heat]]
|-
| {{nbay|1999|trunc=y}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Alonzo|Mourning}}* (2)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Miami Heat]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|2000}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Dikembe|Mutombo}}* (4)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|DR Congo|1997}}<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_d />
| [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
|-
| {{nbay|2001}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Ben|Wallace|dab=basketball}}*
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] (3)
|-
| {{nbay|2002}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Ben|Wallace|dab=basketball}}* (2)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] (4)
|-
| {{nbay|2003}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"| {{sortname|Ron|Artest}}
| [[Small forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Indiana Pacers]]
|-
| {{nbay|2004}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Ben|Wallace|dab=basketball}}* (3)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] (5)
|-
| {{nbay|2005}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99;"| {{sortname|Ben|Wallace|dab=basketball}}* (4)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Detroit Pistons]] (6)
|-
| {{nbay|2006}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"| {{sortname|Marcus|Camby}}
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Denver Nuggets]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|2007}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Kevin|Garnett}}*<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_a />
| [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]]
|-
| {{nbay|2008}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Dwight|Howard}}*
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Orlando Magic]]
|-
| {{nbay|2009}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Dwight|Howard}}* (2)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Orlando Magic]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|2010}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| {{sortname|Dwight|Howard}}* (3)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Orlando Magic]] (3)
|-
| {{nbay|2011}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"| {{sortname|Tyson|Chandler}}
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[New York Knicks]]
|-
| {{nbay|2012}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent| {{sortname|Marc|Gasol}}
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{ESP}}
| [[Memphis Grizzlies]]
|-
| {{nbay|2013}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:transparent;"| {{sortname|Joakim|Noah}}
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{FRA}}{{#tag:ref|Noah was born in the United States to a French father and a Swedish mother, and has played on the [[France national basketball team]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Joakim Noah |work=HoopsHype.com |url=http://hoopshype.com/players/joakim_noah.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327045024/http://hoopshype.com/players/joakim_noah.htm |archive-date=March 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}
| [[Chicago Bulls]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|2014}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Kawhi|Leonard}}^
| [[Small forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]] (3)
|-
| {{nbay|2015}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Kawhi|Leonard}}^ (2)
| [[Small forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[San Antonio Spurs]] (4)
|-
| {{nbay|2016}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Draymond|Green}}^<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_a />
| [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Golden State Warriors]]
|-
| {{nbay|2017}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Rudy|Gobert}}^
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|France}}
| [[Utah Jazz]] (3)
|-
| {{nbay|2018}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Rudy|Gobert}}^ (2)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|France}}
| [[Utah Jazz]] (4)
|-
| {{nbay|2019}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Giannis|Antetokounmpo}}^<ref group=lower-alpha name=note_b />
| [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| {{GRE}}
| [[Milwaukee Bucks]] (3)
|-
| {{nbay|2020}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Rudy|Gobert}}^ (3)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|France}}
| [[Utah Jazz]] (5)
|-
| {{nbay|2021}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Marcus|Smart}}^ 
| [[Point guard]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Boston Celtics]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|2022}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Jaren |Jackson Jr.}}^ 
| [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Memphis Grizzlies]] (2)
|-
| {{nbay|2023}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Rudy|Gobert}}^ (4)
| [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| {{flagu|France}}
| [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]
|-
| {{nbay|2024}}
!scope="row" style="background-color:#CFECEC"| {{sortname|Evan|Mobley}}^
| [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
|}

== Multi-time winners ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Awards!!Player!!Team!!Years
|-
|rowspan=3|4||{{flagicon|COD}} [[Dikembe Mutombo]]||[[Denver Nuggets]], [[Atlanta Hawks]] (2), [[Philadelphia 76ers]]||[[1994–95 Denver Nuggets season|1995]], [[1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season|1997]], [[1997–98 Atlanta Hawks season|1998]], [[2000–01 Philadelphia 76ers season|2001]]
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ben Wallace (basketball)|Ben Wallace]]||[[Detroit Pistons]]||[[2001–02 Detroit Pistons season|2002]], [[2002–03 Detroit Pistons season|2003]], [[2004–05 Detroit Pistons season|2005]], [[2005–06 Detroit Pistons season|2006]]
|-
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Rudy Gobert]]||[[Utah Jazz]] (3), [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]||[[2017–18 Utah Jazz season|2018]], [[2018–19 Utah Jazz season|2019]], [[2020–21 Utah Jazz season|2021]], [[2023–24 Minnesota Timberwolves season|2024]]
|-
| rowspan="1" |3||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dwight Howard]]||[[Orlando Magic]]||[[2008–09 Orlando Magic season|2009]], [[2009–10 Orlando Magic season|2010]], [[2010–11 Orlando Magic season|2011]]
|-
| rowspan="6" |2||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sidney Moncrief]]||[[Milwaukee Bucks]]||[[1982–83 Milwaukee Bucks season|1983]], [[1983–84 Milwaukee Bucks season|1984]]
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Eaton]]||[[Utah Jazz]]||[[1984–85 Utah Jazz season|1985]], [[1988–89 Utah Jazz season|1989]]
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dennis Rodman]]||[[Detroit Pistons]]||[[1989–90 Detroit Pistons season|1990]], [[1990–91 Detroit Pistons season|1991]]
|-
|{{flagicon|NGA}} [[Hakeem Olajuwon]]||[[Houston Rockets]]||[[1992–93 Houston Rockets season|1993]], [[1993–94 Houston Rockets season|1994]]
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Alonzo Mourning]]||[[Miami Heat]]||[[1998–99 Miami Heat season|1999]], [[1999–2000 Miami Heat season|2000]]
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kawhi Leonard]]||[[San Antonio Spurs]]||[[2014–15 San Antonio Spurs season|2015]], [[2015–16 San Antonio Spurs season|2016]]
|}

== Teams ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Awards !!Teams !!Years
|-
|6
|[[Detroit Pistons]]
|{{nbay|1989|end}}, {{nbay|1990|end}}, {{nbay|2001|end}}, {{nbay|2002|end}}, {{nbay|2004|end}}, {{nbay|2005|end}}
|-
| 5
|[[Utah Jazz]]
|{{nbay|1984|end}}, {{nbay|1988|end}}, {{nbay|2017|end}}, {{nbay|2018|end}}, {{nbay|2020|end}}
|-
|4
|[[San Antonio Spurs]]
|{{nbay|1985|end}}, {{nbay|1991|end}}, {{nbay|2014|end}}, {{nbay|2015|end}}
|-
|rowspan=2|3
|[[Milwaukee Bucks]]
|{{nbay|1982|end}}, {{nbay|1983|end}}, {{nbay|2019|end}}
|-
|[[Orlando Magic]]
|{{nbay|2008|end}}, {{nbay|2009|end}}, {{nbay|2010|end}}
|-
|rowspan=7|2
|[[Atlanta Hawks]]
|{{nbay|1996|end}}, {{nbay|1997|end}}
|-
|[[Boston Celtics]]
|{{nbay|2007|end}}, {{nbay|2021|end}} 
|-
|[[Chicago Bulls]]
|{{nbay|1987|end}}, {{nbay|2013|end}} 
|-
|[[Denver Nuggets]]
|{{nbay|1994|end}}, {{nbay|2006|end}} 
|-
|[[Houston Rockets]]
|{{nbay|1992|end}}, {{nbay|1993|end}} 
|-
|[[Miami Heat]]
|{{nbay|1998|end}}, {{nbay|1999|end}} 
|-
|[[Memphis Grizzlies]]
|{{nbay|2012|end}}, {{nbay|2022|end}} 
|-
|rowspan=8|1
|[[Golden State Warriors]]
|{{nbay|2016|end}}
|-
|[[Indiana Pacers]]
|{{nbay|2003|end}}
|-
|[[Los Angeles Lakers]]
|{{nbay|1986|end}}
|-
|[[Minnesota Timberwolves]]
|{{nbay|2023|end}}
|-
|[[New York Knicks]]
|{{nbay|2011|end}}
|-
|[[Philadelphia 76ers]]
|{{nbay|2000|end}}
|-
|[[Seattle SuperSonics]]
|{{nbay|1995|end}}
|-
|[[Cleveland Cavaliers]]
|{{nbay|2024|end}}
|-
| rowspan="10" |0
|[[Brooklyn Nets]]
| rowspan="10" |''None''
|-
|[[Charlotte Hornets]]
|-
|[[Dallas Mavericks]]
|-
|[[Los Angeles Clippers]]
|-
|[[New Orleans Pelicans]]
|-
|[[Phoenix Suns]]
|-
|[[Portland Trail Blazers]]
|-
|[[Sacramento Kings]]
|-
|[[Toronto Raptors]]
|-
|[[Washington Wizards]]
|}

== See also ==
* [[NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year Award]]
* [[NBA records]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== References ==
;General
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite web |title=Defensive Player of the Year |url=http://www.nba.com/history/awards_defensiveplayer.html| access-date = June 2, 2008 |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc |work=NBA.com| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120126211343/http://www.nba.com/history/awards_defensiveplayer.html| archive-date = January 26, 2012| url-status = dead}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/dpoy.html |title=Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners|access-date=July 10, 2008 |work=basketball-reference.com|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805072235/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/dpoy.html|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}
;Specific
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{NBA Defensive Players of the Year}}
{{featured list}}

[[Category:NBA awards|Defensive Player of the Year]]
[[Category:NBA lists]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1983]]