The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association 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. Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace have each won the award a record four times. Rudy Gobert and Dwight Howard have won the award three times, with Howard having won it in three consecutive seasons. 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 Utah Jazz.
| Sport | Basketball |
| Given for | Best defensive player in regular season of the National Basketball Association |
| First award | 1982–2 |
| Most wins | Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace (tied, 4) |
| Most recent | Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz |
About NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Selected by a panel of 124 sportswriters and broadcasters in the United States and Canada, the annual award is given to the best defensive player of the NBA regular season.
Achievement of NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace were the first players to win the award four times. Dwight Howard is the only player to win the award in three consecutive seasons.
Top Facts You Did Not Know About NBA Defensive Player of the Year
NBA Development League Defensive Player of the Year Award - The NBA Development Defensive Player of the Year is an annual NBA Development League award given since the league's inaugural season to the best defensive player of the regular season.. National Basketball Association awards.. National Basketball Association lists.
Latest information about NBA Defensive Player of the Year updated on July 28 2021.
