The Kia Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual award presented by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to the league’s best defensive player. The award is voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The players are judged on their individual performance as well as their contribution to their team’s overall defensive success. The award has been presented since the 1982-83 NBA season and has been won by some of the most prominent names in basketball.

The list of winners for each year is as follows:

– 2022-23 — Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

– 2021-22 — Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

– 2020-21 — Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

– 2019-20 — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

– 2018-19 — Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

– 2017-18 — Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

– 2016-17 — Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

– 2015-16 — Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

– 2014-15 — Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

– 2013-14 — Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

– 2012-13 — Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

– 2011-12 — Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks

– 2010-11 — Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

– 2009-10 — Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

– 2008-09 — Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

– 2007-08 — Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

– 2006-07 — Marcus Camby, Denver Nuggets

– 2005-06 — Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons

– 2004-05 — Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons

– 2003-04 — Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers

– 2002-03 — Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons

– 2001-02 — Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons

– 2000-01 — Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 76ers

– 1999-00 — Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat

– 1998-99 — Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat

– 1997-98 — Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks

– 1996-97 — Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks

– 1995-96 — Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics

– 1994-95 — Dikembe Mutombo, Denver Nuggets

– 1993-94 — Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets

– 1992-93 — Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets

– 1991-92 — David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs

– 1990-91 — Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons

– 1989-90 — Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons

– 1988-89 — Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz

– 1987-88 — Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

– 1986-87 — Michael Cooper, Los Angeles Lakers

– 1985-86 — Alvin Robertson, San Antonio Spurs

– 1984-85 — Mark Eaton, Utah Jazz

– 1983-84 — Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks

– 1982-83 — Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee Bucks

The award is a testament to the players’ dedication to the sport and their ability to defend against some of the best offensive players in the league. Each winner has made significant contributions to their team’s success and has helped to shape the way basketball is played today.