Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team recognizes five of the league’s top defenders each season who narrowly miss First Team honors. Since the award was introduced in the 1968–69 season, it has celebrated elite perimeter stoppers, dominant rim protectors, versatile forwards, and lockdown defenders who have made a major impact on the defensive end of the floor.
Many of the greatest defenders in NBA history have earned multiple Second Team selections before or alongside First Team honors, including Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace, Dwight Howard, and Rudy Gobert.
What Is the NBA All-Defensive Second Team?
At the conclusion of each NBA regular season, NBA All-Defensive Teams are selected to recognize the league’s best defensive players.
Since the 2023–24 season, voting has been positionless, allowing the five highest vote-getters not selected to the First Team to earn Second Team honors.
Before 2023–24, the teams consisted of:
- Two guards
- Two forwards
- One center
Selection is based entirely on regular-season defensive performance.
NBA All-Defensive Second Team Players by Season
| Season | Second Team Players |
|---|---|
| 1968–69 | Walt Frazier, Jerry Sloan, Bill Bridges, Gus Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1969–70 | Walt Frazier, Jerry Sloan, Dave DeBusschere, Happy Hairston, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1970–71 | Jerry West, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Happy Hairston, Nate Thurmond |
| 1971–72 | Jerry Sloan, Walt Frazier, Paul Silas, Happy Hairston, Wilt Chamberlain |
| 1972–73 | Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, Paul Silas, Dave DeBusschere, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1973–74 | Jerry Sloan, Norm Van Lier, Paul Silas, Elvin Hayes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1974–75 | Brian Winters, Norm Van Lier, Paul Silas, Elvin Hayes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1975–76 | Don Buse, Norm Van Lier, Bobby Jones, Paul Silas, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1976–77 | Don Buse, Norm Van Lier, Bobby Jones, Paul Silas, Bill Walton |
| 1977–78 | Don Buse, Lionel Hollins, Bobby Jones, Maurice Lucas, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1978–79 | Don Buse, Eddie Johnson, Bobby Jones, Maurice Lucas, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1979–80 | Lionel Hollins, Eddie Johnson, Bobby Jones, Dan Roundfield, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1980–81 | Maurice Cheeks, Eddie Johnson, Bobby Jones, Dan Roundfield, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 1981–82 | Michael Cooper, Quinn Buckner, Bobby Jones, Dan Roundfield, Robert Parish |
| 1982–83 | Michael Cooper, Sidney Moncrief, Bobby Jones, Dan Roundfield, Tree Rollins |
| 1983–84 | Michael Cooper, Sidney Moncrief, Bobby Jones, Mark Eaton, Buck Williams |
| 1984–85 | Michael Cooper, Sidney Moncrief, Bobby Jones, Buck Williams, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1985–86 | Alvin Robertson, Michael Cooper, Maurice Lucas, Bill Hanzlik, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1986–87 | Alvin Robertson, Michael Cooper, Dennis Rodman, Buck Williams, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1987–88 | Alvin Robertson, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Larry Nance, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1988–89 | Joe Dumars, Alvin Robertson, Dennis Rodman, Buck Williams, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1989–90 | Joe Dumars, Alvin Robertson, Dennis Rodman, Buck Williams, David Robinson |
| 1990–91 | Joe Dumars, John Stockton, Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, David Robinson |
| 1991–92 | Joe Dumars, John Stockton, Dennis Rodman, Larry Nance, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1992–93 | Mookie Blaylock, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1993–94 | Mookie Blaylock, Joe Dumars, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, David Robinson |
| 1994–95 | Mookie Blaylock, Joe Dumars, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Dikembe Mutombo |
| 1995–96 | Gary Payton, Mookie Blaylock, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Alonzo Mourning |
| 1996–97 | Eddie Jones, Mookie Blaylock, Scottie Pippen, Anthony Mason, Dikembe Mutombo |
| 1997–98 | Eddie Jones, Gary Payton, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Dikembe Mutombo |
| 1998–99 | Eddie Jones, Gary Payton, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Alonzo Mourning |
| 1999–00 | Eddie Jones, Gary Payton, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Dikembe Mutombo |
| 2000–01 | Kobe Bryant, Doug Christie, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Alonzo Mourning |
| 2001–02 | Kobe Bryant, Doug Christie, Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace, Kevin Garnett |
| 2002–03 | Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace, Kevin Garnett |
| 2003–04 | Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Ron Artest, Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace |
| 2004–05 | Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, Marcus Camby |
| 2005–06 | Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, Tayshaun Prince, Tim Duncan, Marcus Camby |
| 2006–07 | Raja Bell, Kirk Hinrich, Shane Battier, Tim Duncan, Marcus Camby |
| 2007–08 | Shane Battier, Chris Paul, Tim Duncan, Tayshaun Prince, Marcus Camby |
| 2008–09 | Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Tim Duncan, Shane Battier, Yao Ming |
| 2009–10 | Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Tim Duncan, Josh Smith, Andrew Bogut |
| 2010–11 | Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, Tyson Chandler, Andre Iguodala, Joakim Noah |
| 2011–12 | Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, Serge Ibaka, Luol Deng, Tyson Chandler |
| 2012–13 | Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Tim Duncan, Joakim Noah, Marc Gasol |
| 2013–14 | Patrick Beverley, Jimmy Butler, Roy Hibbert, Serge Ibaka, Kawhi Leonard |
| 2014–15 | Tony Allen, John Wall, Tim Duncan, Anthony Davis, DeAndre Jordan |
| 2015–16 | Avery Bradley, Jimmy Butler, Paul Millsap, Draymond Green, Hassan Whiteside |
| 2016–17 | Danny Green, Tony Allen, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2017–18 | Jrue Holiday, Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, Draymond Green, Dejounte Murray |
| 2018–19 | Klay Thompson, Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard |
| 2019–20 | Patrick Beverley, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez, Kawhi Leonard, Bam Adebayo |
| 2020–21 | Jimmy Butler, Matisse Thybulle, Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard |
| 2021–22 | Jrue Holiday, Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green |
| 2022–23 | Derrick White, Dillon Brooks, Draymond Green, Bam Adebayo, Brook Lopez |
| 2023–24 | Alex Caruso, Jaden McDaniels, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren |
| 2024–25 | Ivica Zubac, Jalen Williams, Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Amen Thompson |
Players with the Most All-Defensive Second Team Selections
Several NBA legends have earned multiple Second Team honors throughout their careers, including:
- Tim Duncan
- Scottie Pippen
- Kobe Bryant
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Bobby Jones
- Joe Dumars
- Dennis Rodman
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Gary Payton
- Tony Allen
Many of these players also accumulated numerous First Team selections, making them among the greatest defenders in NBA history.
Hall of Fame Second Team Selections
Many Hall of Famers have appeared on the All-Defensive Second Team, including:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Jerry West
- Walt Frazier
- Dennis Rodman
- Scottie Pippen
- Tim Duncan
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- David Robinson
- Dikembe Mutombo
- Alonzo Mourning
- Kevin Garnett
- Kobe Bryant
- Gary Payton
- Jason Kidd
Why the Award Matters
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors players whose impact often extends far beyond traditional statistics. Elite on-ball defense, rim protection, defensive versatility, communication, and team leadership are all considered when voters evaluate the league’s best defenders.
Many players have alternated between the First and Second Teams throughout their careers, reflecting the exceptional depth of defensive talent in the NBA.
Related Player Lists
- NBA All-Defensive First Team Players
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winners
- NBA All-NBA First Team Players
- NBA All-NBA Second Team Players
- NBA All-NBA Third Team Players
- NBA All-Star Players
- NBA Hall of Fame Players
- NBA Champions (Players)