The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award is a prestigious recognition within professional basketball, honoring the player who exhibits outstanding defensive prowess and impact throughout the season. Instituted in the 1982-1983 NBA season, the award highlights defense's critical role in the game's dynamics and outcomes. Recognized globally, the accolade symbolizes the dedication, skill, and strategic understanding required to excel on the defensive end of the court. Winners of the award often demonstrate exceptional abilities in shot-blocking, steals, overall defensive presence, and the capacity to disrupt opposing offenses. With a history of celebrated recipients, including luminaries like Dikembe Mutombo, Michael Jordan, and Hakeem Olajuwon, the Defensive Player of the Year Award continues to embody the pinnacle of defensive excellence in professional basketball.
Defensive Player of the Year Winner List
| Season | Player | Position | Nationality | Team |
| 1982–83 | Sidney Moncrief | Shooting guard |  United States | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1983–84 | Sidney Moncrief | Shooting guard |  United States | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1984–85 | Mark Eaton | Center |  United States | Utah Jazz |
| 1985–86 | Alvin Robertson | Shooting guard |  United States | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1986–87 | Michael Cooper | Shooting guard |  United States | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1987–88 | Michael Jordan | Shooting guard |  United States | Chicago Bulls |
| 1988–89 | Mark Eaton | Center |  United States | Utah Jazz |
| 1989–90 | Dennis Rodman | Small forward |  United States | Detroit Pistons |
| 1990–91 | Dennis Rodman | Small forward |  United States | Detroit Pistons |
| 1991–92 | David Robinson | Center |  United States | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1992–93 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Center |  Nigeria | Houston Rockets |
| 1993–94 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Center |  Nigeria | Houston Rockets |
| 1994–95 | Dikembe Mutombo | Center |  Zaire | Denver Nuggets |
| 1995–96 | Gary Payton | Point guard |  United States | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1996–97 | Dikembe Mutombo | Center |  Zaire | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1997–98 | Dikembe Mutombo | Center |  DR Congo | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1998–99 | Alonzo Mourning | Center |  United States | Miami Heat |
| 1999–00 | Alonzo Mourning | Center |  United States | Miami Heat |
| 2000–01 | Dikembe Mutombo | Center |  DR Congo | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2001–02 | Ben Wallace | Center |  United States | Detroit Pistons |
| 2002–03 | Ben Wallace | Center |  United States | Detroit Pistons (4) |
| 2003–04 | Ron Artest | Small forward |  United States | Indiana Pacers |
| 2004–05 | Ben Wallace | Center |  United States | Detroit Pistons |
| 2005–06 | Ben Wallace | Center |  United States | Detroit Pistons |
| 2006–07 | Marcus Camby | Center |  United States | Denver Nuggets |
| 2007–08 | Kevin Garnett | Power forward |  United States | Boston Celtics |
| 2008–09 | Dwight Howard | Center |  United States | Orlando Magic |
| 2009–10 | Dwight Howard | Center |  United States | Orlando Magic |
| 2010–11 | Dwight Howard | Center |  United States | Orlando Magic |
| 2011–12 | Tyson Chandler | Center |  United States | New York Knicks |
| 2012–13 | Marc Gasol | Center |  Spain | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2013–14 | Joakim Noah | Center |  France | Chicago Bulls |
| 2014–15 | Kawhi Leonard | Small forward |  United States | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2015–16 | Kawhi Leonard | Small forward |  United States | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2016–17 | Draymond Green | Power forward |  United States | Golden State Warriors |
| 2017–18 | Rudy Gobert | Center |  France | Utah Jazz |
| 2018–19 | Rudy Gobert | Center |  France | Utah Jazz |
| 2019–20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Power forward |  Greece | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2020–21 | Rudy Gobert | Center |  France | Utah Jazz |
| 2021–22 | Marcus Smart | Point guard |  United States | Boston Celtics |
| 2022–23 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Power forward |  United States | Memphis Grizzlies |
FAQ's On Defensive Player of the Year Winner List
A. Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace share the record for the most wins, each earning the award four times.
A. Several non-American players have won the award, including Hakeem Olajuwon, Marcus Camby, Marc Gasol, and Rudy Gobert.
A. The Detroit Pistons have had the most players win the award, with Ben Wallace winning it four times and Dennis Rodman winning twice while with the team.
A. While guards have won the award, it's more common for centers and forwards to receive the honor due to their defensive presence in the paint.
A. Yes, Hakeem Olajuwon achieved this feat in the 1993-1994 NBA season, winning both awards while playing for the Houston Rockets.
