NEW YORK – Delaware Blue Coats rookie center Christ Koumadje has been named the 2019-20 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, the NBA G League announced today.  He earned the honor in a vote by the league’s 28 head coaches and general managers.

Koumadje (7-4, 270, Florida State) led the NBA G League in blocked shots per game (4.0) and total blocks (133) to go with 11.3 points and 10.9 rebounds in 33 games.  He ranked 10^th in the NBA G League in defensive rebounds per game (7.1).  On Feb. 1, Koumadje recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 20 rebounds and an NBA G League season-high 12 blocks in a 111-103 road victory over the Erie BayHawks.

Behind Koumadje, the Blue Coats topped the NBA G League in blocks per game (7.3), finished second in opponents’ field goal percentage (44.0) and ranked ninth in defensive rating (107.4).

A Chad native, the 23-year-old Koumadje joined the Blue Coats after participating in MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2019 and the 2019 preseason with the Philadelphia 76ers.  The Blue Coats are the NBA G League affiliate of the 76ers.

Koumadje appeared in 33 of Delaware’s 43 games this season. The NBA G League canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season on June 4.  The regular season was suspended on March 12 and had been scheduled to conclude on March 28.

Canton Charge guard-forward Sir’Dominic Pointer and Westchester Knicks forward Kenny Wooten finished second and third, respectively, in voting for the 2019-20 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year Award.

All-Time NBA G League Defensive Players of the Year
2019-20: Christ Koumadje (Delaware Blue Coats)
2018-19: Chris Boucher (Raptors 905)
2017-18: Landry Nnoko (Grand Rapids Drive)
2016-17: Edy Tavares (Raptors 905)
2015-16: DeAndre Liggins (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
2014-15: Aaron Craft (Santa Cruz Warriors)
2013-14: DeAndre Liggins (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
2012-13: Stefhon Hannah (Santa Cruz Warriors)
2011-12: Stefhon Hannah (Dakota Wizards)
2010-11: Chris Johnson (Dakota Wizards)
2009-10: Greg Stiemsma (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
2008-09: Brent Petway (Idaho Stampede)
2007-08: Stephane Lasme (Los Angeles D-Fenders)
Mouhamed Sene (Idaho Stampede)
2006-07: Renaldo Major (Dakota Wizards)
2005-06: Derrick Zimmerman (Austin Toros)
2004-05: Derrick Zimmerman (Columbus Riverdragons)
2003-04: Karim Shabazz (Charleston Lowgators)
2002-03: Mikki Moore (Roanoke Dazzle)
2001-02: Jeff Myers (Greenville Groove)