Evan Mobley Wins 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of Year, Makes All-Defensive First Team

Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been named the 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team for the second time, joining franchise legend LeBron James as one of the few Cavs with multiple All-Defensive honors. Mobley was nearly unanimously voted to the first team, showcasing his elite defensive skills with 1.6 blocks per game and holding opponents to 44.5 percent shooting when guarded by him, contributing to the Cavaliers' best regular-season record without LeBron James. Alongside Mobley, the All-Defensive First Team includes Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dort, Draymond Green, and Amen Thompson, with Mobley and Green leading as standout defenders. Mobley's breakout season also featured career highs in scoring, rebounds, and assists, and he earned his first All-Star selection, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of Cleveland's championship hopes. Despite the offensive surge league-wide, these defensive standouts highlighted the importance of defense, with Mobley's presence key to the Cavaliers finishing first in the Eastern Conference. The All-Defensive teams were selected by a global media panel of 100 voters, emphasizing Mobley's defensive impact across the NBA.