Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Award is presented annually to the league’s best defensive player. Introduced in the 1982–83 season, the award recognizes elite defenders who dominate games through rim protection, perimeter defense, rebounding, steals, shot-blocking, versatility, and overall defensive impact.
Some of the greatest defenders in basketball history—including Ben Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo, Rudy Gobert, Dwight Howard, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kawhi Leonard—have won the award, cementing their reputations as defensive legends.
What Is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award?
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award honors the league’s most impactful defensive player during the regular season.
Media members vote based on several factors, including:
- Individual defensive impact
- Rim protection
- Perimeter defense
- Defensive versatility
- Team defensive success
- Advanced defensive metrics
The award is based solely on regular-season performance.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winners by Season
| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1982–83 | Sidney Moncrief | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1983–84 | Sidney Moncrief | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1984–85 | Mark Eaton | Utah Jazz |
| 1985–86 | Alvin Robertson | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1986–87 | Michael Cooper | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1987–88 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
| 1988–89 | Mark Eaton | Utah Jazz |
| 1989–90 | Dennis Rodman | Detroit Pistons |
| 1990–91 | Dennis Rodman | Detroit Pistons |
| 1991–92 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1992–93 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets |
| 1993–94 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets |
| 1994–95 | Dikembe Mutombo | Denver Nuggets |
| 1995–96 | Gary Payton | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1996–97 | Dikembe Mutombo | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1997–98 | Dikembe Mutombo | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1998–99 | Alonzo Mourning | Miami Heat |
| 1999–00 | Alonzo Mourning | Miami Heat |
| 2000–01 | Dikembe Mutombo | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2001–02 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2002–03 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2003–04 | Ron Artest | Indiana Pacers |
| 2004–05 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2005–06 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2006–07 | Marcus Camby | Denver Nuggets |
| 2007–08 | Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics |
| 2008–09 | Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 2009–10 | Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 2010–11 | Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 2011–12 | Tyson Chandler | New York Knicks |
| 2012–13 | Marc Gasol | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2013–14 | Joakim Noah | Chicago Bulls |
| 2014–15 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2015–16 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2016–17 | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors |
| 2017–18 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2018–19 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2019–20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2020–21 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2021–22 | Marcus Smart | Boston Celtics |
| 2022–23 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2023–24 | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2024–25 | Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Players with the Most Defensive Player of the Year Awards
Several players have won the award multiple times:
| Player | Awards |
|---|---|
| Dikembe Mutombo | 4 |
| Ben Wallace | 4 |
| Rudy Gobert | 4 |
| Dwight Howard | 3 |
| Sidney Moncrief | 2 |
| Mark Eaton | 2 |
| Dennis Rodman | 2 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 2 |
| Alonzo Mourning | 2 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 2 |
Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, and Rudy Gobert share the NBA record with four Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Defensive Player of the Year Winners Who Also Won MVP
Only a select group of players have won both the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards during their careers:
- Michael Jordan
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Kevin Garnett
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- David Robinson
Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan are among the few players to dominate both ends of the floor at an MVP level.
Defensive Player of the Year Winners Who Won NBA Championships
Many Defensive Player of the Year winners also led championship teams, including:
- Michael Jordan
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Dennis Rodman
- David Robinson
- Ben Wallace
- Kevin Garnett
- Kawhi Leonard
- Draymond Green
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
Elite defense has consistently been a cornerstone of championship success.
Interesting Facts
- The award has been presented every season since 1982–83.
- Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, and Rudy Gobert hold the record with four Defensive Player of the Year awards each.
- Michael Jordan remains the only guard to win both the scoring title and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
- Gary Payton is the only point guard to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
- Marcus Smart became the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton when he earned the honor in 2021–22.
Why the Award Matters
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award honors players whose value extends far beyond scoring. Elite defenders change games by protecting the rim, disrupting passing lanes, forcing turnovers, defending multiple positions, and anchoring championship-caliber defenses.
The award is one of the league’s highest individual honors and plays an important role in evaluating player legacies, Hall of Fame credentials, and the greatest defenders in NBA history.
Related NBA Lists
- NBA All-Defensive First Team Players
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team Players
- NBA Most Valuable Player Winners
- NBA Most Improved Player Winners
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year Winners
- NBA Rookie of the Year Winners
- NBA Hall of Fame Players
- NBA Champions (Players)