Minnesota Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert has been named the 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, marking his fourth win, equaling the record set by Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo. His previous wins were in 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2020-21 as a member of the Utah Jazz.

By the Numbers
  • Gobert received 72 first-place votes, surpassing Victor Wembanyama, who had 19 first-place votes.
  • He is averaging 13.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in the current playoffs.
Yes, But

Rudy Gobert faced stiff competition from Victor Wembanyama, who made a genuine run for the award, and is expected to be a strong contender next year.

State of Play
  • Gobert missed Game 2 due to personal reasons after the birth of his first child on Monday.
  • He was a key factor in Minnesota's No. 1 ranked defense and their success in the current playoffs.
What's Next

Victor Wembanyama is anticipated to be the favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year next year, and will join Gobert on France's Olympic team.

Bottom Line

Rudy Gobert's fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year win cements his legacy as one of the league's most dominant defenders, but he faces a strong challenge from Victor Wembanyama in the coming seasons.