Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley is the recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy as the 2024-25 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley was named the NBA's top defensive player for the first time Thursday, taking home the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year Award. Mobley beat out fellow finalists Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green to win the award.

The NBA was set to announce this season's defensive player of the year on Thursday night, with Atlanta's Dyson Daniels, Golden State's Draymond Green and Cleveland's Evan Mobley the three finalists. Green won the award in 2017 and is bidding to become the 11th player in NBA history to win it at least twice.