WEMBANYAMA NAMED

2025-26 NBA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Victor Wembanyama has been named the 2025–26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, making history as the first unanimous winner of the award. At just 22 years old, he also becomes the youngest player to ever receive the honor.

The San Antonio Spurs center dominated defensively, leading the league in blocked shots for a third straight season. Finalists Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson were also recognized but never seriously challenged Wembanyama’s case.

His win adds to a historic résumé—he joins David Robinson and Michael Jordan as the only players to win both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He is also only the second player in recent years to win multiple awards unanimously.

Wembanyama is also an MVP finalist alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, capping off a standout season filled with major achievements.

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Source: https://www.nba.com/news/kia-nba-defensive-player-of-the-year-award-2025-26