Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley has been named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, making franchise history as the first Cavs player to claim the prestigious honor.
The 23-year-old San Diego native, now in his fourth NBA season—all with Cleveland—stood out as a defensive anchor for the Cavaliers, who finished the regular season with a stellar 64-18 record, second-best in the league and first in the Eastern Conference.
Mobley secured the award with 285 total points in voting by a 100-member international media panel. Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels placed second with 197 points, while Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green finished third with 154 points.
Throughout the regular season, Mobley delivered solid numbers on both ends of the floor, averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Defensively, he was among the league’s elite—ranking sixth in blocks (1.59 per game), 13th in defensive rebounds (7.0), and contesting 10.4 shots per game.
Opponents found little success when matched up against Mobley. When he was the closest defender, they shot just 44.5%—3.2% lower than expected. His presence on the floor significantly lifted Cleveland’s defense, improving their rating to a level that would have ranked second in the NBA.
The Cavaliers also finished eighth overall in defensive rating and third in opponent field goal percentage, a testament to Mobley’s consistent impact across the season.
