Introduction to Evan Mobley’s Achievement
Evan Mobley has added to his stellar 2024-25 campaign. The Cleveland Cavaliers star on Thursday was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, his first win in the category.
The Competition for Defensive Player of the Year
Mobley beat out Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green and Atlanta Hawks wing Dyson Daniels. The No. 3 overall pick by Cleveland in 2021, Mobley put up averages of 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals across 71 games, helping anchor Cleveland on both sides of the ball as the team surged to the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed at 64-18.
Mobley’s Career Highlights and Accolades
Mobley, a San Diego native and USC product, also earned his first All-Star nod this season due to his efforts. He was previously named to the All-Defensive First Team in 2023, with another nod presumably looming. The 6-foot-11 big man is also set to see a significant pay raise due to his win. After signing a rookie extension last July worth $224 million, language in his contract detailed that the sum would increase to $269 million should he win the award.
Reaction from Teammates and the Basketball Community
Fellow Cleveland star teammates Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland were among the players congratulating Mobley for the achievement.
EVAN MOBLEY🏆🏆— Darius Garland (@dariusgarland22) April 24, 2025
Mobley was also a top-three finalist for the award in 2023. Minnesota Timberwolves Rudy Gobert won the award last season, the fourth of his career.
Other Notable Candidates for the Award
San Antonio Spurs sophomore phenom Victor Wembanyama was widely seen as the favorite to claim the award this year after a second-place rookie finish, but a season-ending blood clot diagnosis in February saw him get shut down. Green, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year winner in 2017, was another top candidate after playing a key role in Golden State’s resurgence toward the back half of the season. Daniels, the No. 8 pick in 2022, has yet to win a major award but was named the steals leader for this season.
Here are five things to know about Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green.
Conclusion
Evan Mobley’s achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. His win as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year is well-deserved, and his future in the league looks bright. With his talent and the support of his teammates, Mobley is sure to continue making waves in the basketball world.
FAQs
- Q: Who won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 season?
A: Evan Mobley won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 season. - Q: Who were the other finalists for the award?
A: The other finalists for the award were Draymond Green and Dyson Daniels. - Q: What was the impact of Evan Mobley’s win on his contract?
A: Evan Mobley’s win increased his contract sum from $224 million to $269 million due to a clause in his rookie extension. - Q: Who was the previous winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award?
A: Rudy Gobert won the award last season, which was his fourth win. - Q: What happened to Victor Wembanyama, who was a favorite to win the award?
A: Victor Wembanyama suffered a season-ending blood clot diagnosis in February, which prevented him from winning the award.
