SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 19: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs is surrounded by teammates after he scored the game-winning basket against the Phoenix Suns at Frost Bank Center on March 19, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Wemby named 1st unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner

10 days ago

Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Sport / Getty

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama became the first unanimous winner of the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year on Monday.

The 22-year-old is also now the youngest player to win the award since its introduction for the 1982-83 season.

Selected for the award by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, Wembanyama beat out Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons wing Ausar Thompson for the honor.

Victor Wembanyama is the first unanimous Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year since the award’s inception in 1982-83.

The winner was selected by a global media panel of 100 voters.

Complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wIUDEDWJtm
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 20, 2026

Wembanyama led the NBA in blocks for the third straight season (3.1), as well as topped the league in defensive win shares (five) and defensive rating (101). He also placed second in defensive rebounds (9.5) and fourth in overall rebounds (11.5).

The two-time All-Star anchored the league's third-best defense (111.3), a number that improved dramatically to a league-best 107.7 defensive rating with him on the court. Beyond the statistical returns, Wembanyama also displayed a penchant for switching to defend guards, using his 8-foot wingspan to deny perimeter opportunities.

The league also named Wembanyama as one of three finalists for the MVP award, joining last year's selection, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and three-time winner Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Wembanyama is the fourth Spurs player to win Defensive Player of the Year. He joins Alvin Robertson (1985-86), David Robinson (1991-92), and Kawhi Leonard, who won in back-to-back seasons in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

The Frenchman also becomes the fifth European-born player to earn the award, joining Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah, Rudy Gobert, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Seven of the last 14 winners have been European.