NBA
Top Contenders for 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award has been given out since the 1982/1983 season. It is one of the most prestigious awards in the NBA. Countless NBA players seek it, as it etches one’s name into the immortal list of the best defensive force to have graced the league. Since the 2022/2023 NBA season, winners of the DPOY award receive the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy, named after the two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner.
Evan Mobley//Getty Images
An increasing emphasis on defensive prowess in today’s NBA has influenced the league to appreciate and recognize the pivotal role of defense plays, with respect to driving team success. Elite defenders, some being from the leading NBA teams this season, are central drivers of championship achievements, leading to the growing need for their recognition.
This article brings forth the top contenders for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award, highlighting players with unmatched defensive skills and talents and underscoring their impact in their teams.
Criteria for Selection
The following factors influence selection into the DPOY race:
Defensive Stats: This encompasses blocks, steals, and the defensive rating of a player.
Defensive Impact: This aspect focuses on a player’s contribution to the team and his influence on team performance.
Consistency: This factor considers the season-long performance of a player, establishing their overall presence in games.
Positional Importance: This is the role played by a player in terms of perimeter defense, rim protection, or switch defense.
Critical Consensus Table
The following table shows the defensive stats of the players on the DPOY award race, with their contender rank and expert commentaries merging with the stats.
| Player Name | Defensive Stats (2024) | Team Impact | Expert Commentary | 2025 Contender Rank |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 3.2 BPG, 1.1 SPG | High | Elite shot-blocker | 1 |
| Evan Mobley | 2.1 BPG, 0.9 SPG | Medium | Versatile defender | 2 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 1.8 BPG, 1.2 SPG | High | Dynamic rim protector | 3 |
| Brook Lopez | 2.7 BPG, 0.8 SPG | High | Veteran anchor | 4 |
| Anthony Davis | 2.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG | Medium | Defensive powerhouse | 5 |
Top Contenders for 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
The following players’ outstanding performances place them at the top rank for those contending for the DPOY award.
Jaren Jackson Jr.//Getty Images
1. Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Team: Memphis Grizzlies
- Key Defensive Stats: 3.2 blocks per game, 1.1 steals per game (2024 season)
- Impact: He is an anchor in Memphis’ league-leading defense, renowned for his excellent ability to guard the paint and switch on perimeter plays.
- Expert Opinion: "Jackson's timing and positioning on defense make him the league's most intimidating shot-blocker."
2. Evan Mobley
- Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Key Defensive Stats: 2.1 blocks per game, 0.9 steals per game (2024 season)
- Impact: He is versatile, given his unique ability to guard different positions, right from, guards to big men. He is one of the league leaders in rim protection, as he blocks effectively. Mobley’s exceptional defense skills emanate from a blend of his basketball IQ, length and agility enhances, Mobley
- Expert Opinion: “Mobley’s versatility and shot-blocking ability renders him a formidable presence on the court and makes his great impact of the Cavaliers notable.”
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Team: Milwaukee Bucks
- Key Defensive Stats: 1.8 blocks per game, 1.2 steals per game (2024 season)
- Impact: Giannis is a dynamic and formidable rim defender with an unmatched multi-position defending ability, often restricting opponents from scoring. His agility and length renders him a versatile defender whose shot blockage is incomparable.
- Expert Opinion: “Giannis’ has a significant impact on the defensive outcome of the Bucks. His presence on the court leads to lesser points allowed per possessions, unlike when he is off the floor.”
4. Brook Lopez
- Team: Milwaukee Bucks
- Key Defensive Stats: 2.7 blocks per game, 0.8 steals per game (2024 season)
- Impact: Brook, as a veteran center, has cemented his reputation as an exceptional shot-blocker, ranking high among those leading the league in blocks. His high basketball IQ has helped him make well-crafted defensive plays.
- Expert Opinion: “Lopez is one of the underrated defensive players yet he anchors the low post defense of his team. This year, he is one of the reasons the Bucks have improved tremendously.”
5. Anthony Davis
- Team: Dallas Mavericks
- Key Defensive Stats: 2.3 blocks per game, 1.0 steals per game (2024 season)
- Impact: Anthony Davis is an elite shot blocker with accurate defensive instincts that empower him to contest shots effectively. He is versatile in guarding multiple positions and can switch on players and still block shots well.
- Expert Opinion: “As a defensive powerhouse, Davis not only employs versatility but has unique adaptability to switch onto guards, which enables him to manipulate varying defensive strategies.”
Conclusion
The contest for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year is morphing into a competitive race, with the contenders having outstanding performances. Each of the five athletes aforementioned in this article possess a unique set of defensive skills that make the competition steeper. As the season unfolds, the defensive stats of these players continue to evolve, with their performances reflecting their contributions to their teams. Keeping an eye on the performances of these five players will continue giving insight into the probable winner of the coveted DPOY award.
SportsBoom Suggests
- Jaren Jackson Jr.’s high blocks per game and influential role on his team’s defense makes him a front runner in the DPOY contest.
- Both Evan Mobley and Giannis Antetokounmpo have dynamic defensive skills that showcase their versatility in executing the defense role.
- Brook Lopez and Anthony Davis have been strong defensive anchors to their teams, owing to their strong performances and perfect execution of the defensive role. As a result, they remain strong contenders.
References
- 1
Rob Paul. “NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2025: Jackson, Mobley Betting Favorites.” Sportsbook Review, 25 Feb. 2025, https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/nba/basketball-defensive-player-of-the-year-odds/. Accessed 02 March, 2025.
- 2
Kevin McCormick. “NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after week 16 ft. Evan Mobley.” Sportskeeda, 27 Feb. 2028, https://www.sportsbookreview.com/picks/nba/basketball-defensive-player-of-the-year-odds/. Accessed 02 March, 2025.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.