Evan Mobley Makes History As Cavaliers’ First Defensive Player of the Year

Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley has won the 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, claiming the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.

Mobley, now in his fourth year in the league, has won his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year—the first Cavalier ever to do so.

Mobley joins elite company as the fifth 23-year-old to be named Defensive Player of the Year, joining the likes of Alvin Robertson, Dwight Howard, Kawhi Leonard and Jaren Jackson Jr. No player younger than 23 has ever received the honor.

Mobley finished the regular season ranked sixth in blocks (1.59) and 13th in defensive rebounds (7.0), while also contesting 10.4 shots a night, third among players who appeared in 70% of their team’s games.

The Cavaliers were eighth in defensive rating and third in opponent shooting percentage this season — and even better with Mobley playing, good enough for second in the league with a defensive rating of 108.6.

Mobley was twice named the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month and also made his All-Star debut this season.

In 71 games, Mobley averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, in 30.5 minutes a night and led the Cavaliers to a 64-18 record, second-best in team franchise history and No. 1 in the East.