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Gobert wins 2nd straight Defensive Player of the Year Award

Gene Sweeney Jr. / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season on Monday night.

The award has often been given to big men, and this is the 24th time a center has won it in 37 seasons.

Gobert is the ninth player to win the award in consecutive years, joining Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard and Washington Wizards center Dwight Howard as the only active players to accomplish that feat.

The Jazz owned the NBA's second-best defense, allowing just 105.2 points per 100 possessions. Gobert ranked third in blocks per game (2.3) and fourth in rebounds (12.9).

Gobert defeated Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George for the award.

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