Evan Mobley has been honored as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season, a recognition of his elite two-way presence and impact on that end of the court.
Mobley emerged as the top vote-getter in a tightly contested race, finishing with 35 first-place votes, 30 second-place votes, and 20 third-place selections, accumulating a total of 285 points in the voting process.
He edged out Dyson Daniels, who placed second, while seasoned defender Draymond Green came in third.
Mobley’s statistical contributions on defense speak for themselves.
He was a formidable shot-blocker, ranking sixth in the league with 1.59 blocks per game, and was a consistent presence on the glass with 7.0 defensive rebounds per contest, good for 13th in the NBA.
Additionally, he challenged 10.4 shots per game, which ranked third among all players who appeared in at least 70% of their team’s games – Mobley played 58 of 82.
Beyond traditional stats, Mobley’s defensive efficiency was measurable through advanced metrics as well.
Opponents shot just 44.5% when Mobley was the closest defender, a significant dip of 3.2% below their expected shooting percentage (47.7%), highlighting his ability to alter and affect shots without necessarily blocking them.
His impact translated to team success as well: The Cleveland Cavaliers posted a stellar 108.6 defensive rating with Mobley on the court, emphasizing just how vital he was in anchoring their defensive schemes.
His awareness, length, and versatility made him a nightmare for offensive players, and this award cements his growing status as one of the league’s premier stoppers.
Evan Mobley Named NBA Defensive Player Of The Year https://t.co/Zitfbd6AAG
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 24, 2025
