Cleveland Cavaliers star Evan Mobley has officially been named the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Mobley was the backbone of a stellar Cavs defense and helped Cleveland secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The 23-year-old is the second youngest player to ever win the award, only trailing Dwight Howard, who was a few months younger when he took home the trophy in 2008. He is now the first Cavalier to ever win the award.
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Unlike most winners, Mobley wasn’t the favorite for most of the season. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was the heavy favorite after putting on a spectacular defensive season, but a season-ending blood clot made him ineligible for regular season awards.
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When Wembanyama was sidelined, Mobley became the early favorite for being both a defensive roamer and anchor for the Cavaliers, seemingly all at once.
His size and explosiveness combined with his defensive IQ make him one of the best help defenders in the NBA. Additionally, Mobley has incredibly quick feet for his position, allowing him to defend both the paint and the perimeter at a high level.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green made a late-season push for the award and was the betting favorite for a short period. Green’s defensive coordination made him a strong candidate, but Mobley was the best defender on arguably the best defense all season long.
The league is full of great defenders, but Mobley was more than deserving of the award for how he fared against NBA offenses this season.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
