NBA: Evan Mobley named 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley has been named the 2024–25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the league announced Thursday, April 24. Mobley becomes the first player in Cavaliers history to receive the prestigious defensive honor and joins elite company as one of only five players to win the award at age 23.Mobley led the field with 285 total points, including 35 first-place votes and 30 second-place votes from a 100-member global media panel. He edged out Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels,197 points, and Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, 154 points, to secure his first major NBA accolade.YOUR 2024-25 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, EVAN MOBLEY. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/dPpyhEtmfx— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 24, 2025advertisementMobley's consistent two-way impact helped boost the Cavaliers to a 64-18 record, the second-best in franchise history, and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Strong defensive stats back Mobley's winMobley's defensive numbers throughout the season solidified his status as one of the league's elite defenders:1.59 blocks per game (6th in NBA)7.0 defensive rebounds per game (13th in NBA)10.4 shots contested per game (Top 3 amongst qualified players)Opponents shot just 44.5% when guarded by Mobley, 3.2% lower than their expected average.His presence significantly boosted Cleveland's defensive efficiency. While the Cavaliers ranked 8th in overall defensive rating, their numbers improved to a level that would rank 2nd league-wide when Mobley was on the floor.Our guy. The DPOY. Evan Mobley.Mobley is 1 of 4 players (and the youngest player) since he entered the NBA in 2021 to have recorded at least 400 blocked shots and 200 steals. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/mCru0WGhCH— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 24, 2025advertisementMobley shines on both ends of the courtWhile Mobley made his mark on defense, his offensive contributions were equally impactful. He finished the regular season averaging:18.5 points per game9.3 rebounds per game3.2 assists per game0.9 steals per game30.5 minutes across 71 gamesDue to the NBA's updated eligibility criteria, this season's Defensive Player of the Year was wide open. Players need to appear in at least 65 games (with at least 20 minutes in 63 of those) to qualify for major awards.That rule ruled out stars like Victor Wembanyama, who led the league with 176 total blocks but played only 46 games due to a shoulder injury. Other previous contenders like Jaren Jackson Jr. also missed the final cut.Mobley joins rare company at age 23Mobley now joins a short list of players who won Defensive Player of the Year honors at age 23:Alvin Robertson (1985–86)Dwight Howard (2008–09)Kawhi Leonard (2014–15)Jaren Jackson Jr. (2022–23)No player younger than 23 has ever won the award since it was first introduced in the 1982–83 NBA season.Mobley's breakout season was filled with highlights:Named to his first NBA All-Star teamWon Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month twice (December and February)Guided Cleveland to the No. 1 seed in the EastHelped the Cavaliers take a 2-0 series lead over the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffsALSO READ: NBA: We got to build off it, it's only one win, says James Harden as Clippers won over Nuggets in Game 3Must Watch
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