Cleveland Cavaliers Forward Evan Moles was appointed a defensive player of the year 2024–25 NBA, the League announced Thursday 24th April. Moles becomes the first player in Cavaliers, who received a prestigious defensive honor and joined the elite society as one of the only five players to win the 23 years of age.
Moles led a field with 285 total points, of which 35 votes in the first place and 30 second votes from the 100-member global media panel. He objected to the guardian of Atlanta Hawks Dyson Daniels, 197 points, and Golden State Warriors Star Draymond Green, 154 points to ensure his first NBA award.
Moles’ consistent two-way impact helped strengthen the Cavaliers on a 64-18 record, the second best in franchise history and seed no. 1 in the playoffs of the Eastern Conference.
Strong defensive statistics back Moles’s victory
MoLY defensive numbers have stiffened his status of one of the elite league defenders throughout the season:
- 1.59 blocks per game (6. In NBA)
- 7.0 Defensive rebounds per game (13. In NBA)
- 10.4 shots attacked for the game (TOP 3 among qualified players)
- The opponents shot only 44.5% when they were guarded by MOBLEY, 3.2% lower than their expected average.
Its presence significantly increased Cleveland’s defensive efficiency. While Cavaliers placed 8th in the overall defensive evaluation, their number has improved to a level that would be second in the whole league when Moles were on the floor.
Our guy. DPOY. EVAN MOBLEY.
MoFley has been 1 of 4 players (and the youngest player) since he entered the NBA in 2021 to record at least 400 blocked shots and 200 steals. #Lememknow pic.twitter.com/mcr0wghch– Cleveland Cavaliers (@Cavs) April 24, 2025
MOBLEY shines at both ends of the court
While Moles made his mark in defense, his offensive posts were equally impressive. Completed a regular season on average:
- 18.5 points per game
- 9.3 rebounds per game
- 3.2 Assisted on the game
- 0.9 steals on the game
- 30.5 minutes in 71 games
Due to the updated NBA capacity criterion, the defensive player of the year was widely open this season. Players must appear in at least 65 games (with at least 20 minutes in 63 of them) to qualify for the main award.
This rule was ruled out by the stars like Victor Wembanyama, who led the league with 176 overall blocks, but played only 46 games due to the shoulder injury. Other previous applicants, such as Jaren Jackson Jr., also missed the last cut.
MOBLEY will join a rare company at 23 years of age
MOBLEY now joins a short list of players who have gained a distinction of the defensive player of the year at the age of 23:
- Alvin Robertson (1985-86)
- Dwight Howard (2008–09)
- Kawhi Leonard (2014–15)
- Years of Jackson Jr. (2022–23)
No player under 23 has ever won the price since he was first introduced in the NBA season 1982-83.
Moles’ escape season was full of highlights:
- Named to its first NBA All-Star team
- Won a defensive player at the Eastern Conference twice (December and February)
- Led by Cleveland to Seed No. 1 in the east
- Helped Cavaliers to take a 2-0 series lead over Miami Heat in the first round of playoffs
Read also: NBA: We have to build it, it’s just one victory, says James Harden when Clippers won above Nuggets in the game 3
Published:
Aashish vashistha
Published on:
April 25, 2025
