Wembanyama named DPOY

Victor Wembanyama won the NBA’s 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year award on Monday night. (nba.com) The San Antonio Spurs center is 22 and became both the youngest winner in award history and the first unanimous selection since the trophy was created in 1982-83. (nba.com) The NBA announced the result April 20, 2026, and the league’s post on X documenting the award drew more than 23,000 likes. (nba.com) (x.com) Wembanyama finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting as a rookie, then lost his 2024-25 run at the award when deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder ended that season early. (apnews.com) (nba.com) This year, the award closes the loop on a two-season climb that started with near misses and a medical shutdown. NBA.com’s awards preview four days before the announcement said its writers were unanimous in picking Wembanyama because of his season-long rim protection. (apnews.com) (nba.com) He also won it while still carrying a star-sized offensive load. ESPN’s season log lists him at 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 64 regular-season games. (espn.com) The Spurs have had elite defenders win this award before, including David Robinson in 1991-92 and Kawhi Leonard in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Wembanyama is now the franchise’s fourth Defensive Player of the Year winner and the first since Leonard a decade ago. (nba.com) The league said Tuesday’s next awards reveal would be Clutch Player of the Year, while Wembanyama also remains a finalist for Most Valuable Player. Monday belonged to his defense. (nba.com)