The NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year is an annual NBA G League award given since the league's inaugural season to the best defensive player of the regular season. The league's head coaches determine the award by voting and it is usually presented to the honoree during the D-League playoffs.
Through the 2020–21 season, three players have been named the Defensive Player of the Year more than once: Derrick Zimmerman (2005, 2006), Stefhon Hannah (2012, 2013) and DeAndre Liggins (2014, 2016). Six international players have been named recipients: Stéphane Lasme (Gabon), Mouhamed Sene (Senegal), Walter Tavares (Cape Verde), Landry Nnoko (Cameroon), Chris Boucher (Canada), and Christ Koumadje (Chad). Jeff Myers was the inaugural winner while playing for the Greenville Groove.
Winners †Denotes a tie for the Defensive Player of the Year Award
SeasonPlayerPositionNationalityTeam 2001–02 Guard Greenville Groove 2002–03 Center Roanoke Dazzle 2003–04 Center Charleston Lowgators 2004–05 Guard Columbus Riverdragons 2005–06 (2) Guard Austin Toros 2006–07 Forward Dakota Wizards (1)2007–08† Forward Los Angeles D-Fenders Center Idaho Stampede (1) 2008–09 Forward Idaho Stampede (2) 2009–10 Center Sioux Falls Skyforce (1) 2010–11 Center Dakota Wizards (2) 2011–12 Guard Dakota Wizards (3) 2012–13 (2) Guard Santa Cruz Warriors (1) 2013–14 Guard Sioux Falls Skyforce (2) 2014–15 Guard Santa Cruz Warriors (2) 2015–16 (2) Guard Sioux Falls Skyforce (3) 2016–17 Center Raptors 905 (1) 2017–18 Center Grand Rapids Drive 2018–19 Forward Raptors 905 (2) 2019–20 Center Delaware Blue Coats (1) 2020–21 Guard Raptors 905 (3) 2021–22 Guard Delaware Blue Coats (2) 2022–23 Center Capital City Go-Go 2023–24 (2) Guard South Bay Lakers 2024–25 Forward Santa Cruz Warriors 2025–26 Center Texas Legends
Multiple-time winners AwardsPlayerTeam(s)Years2 Columbus Riverdragons (1) / Austin Toros (1) 2004–05, 2005–06 Dakota Wizards (1) / Santa Cruz Warriors (1) 2011–12, 2012–13 Sioux Falls Skyforce 2013–14, 2015–16 Delaware Blue Coats (1) / South Bay Lakers (1) 2021–22, 2023–24
See also NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
References
External links D-League Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners at basketball-reference.com