NEW YORK – San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, earning the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.

• First unanimous Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year selection since the award’s inception in 1982-83

• Youngest Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year recipient (22 years, 98 days on April 12, the final day of the regular season)

• First player to win the award within his first three seasons since David Robinson (1991-92, San Antonio)

• Led the NBA in blocks per game (3.08) for a third straight season, becoming just the third player to accomplish the feat (Dikembe Mutombo, Marcus Camby)

• Helped lead the Spurs to the NBA’s No. 3 ranking in defensive rating; San Antonio allowed 10.1 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court than off

A global media panel of 100 voters selected the winner of the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.  The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.  The complete voting results are below.