Victor Wembanyama makes history as first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year

21/04/202607:49

Victor Wembanyama Defensive Player of the Year

The San Antonio Spurs star won the 2025-26 DPOY with every first-place vote and also became the youngest player ever to earn the award

Victor Wembanyama has made NBA history by becoming the first player ever to win the Defensive Player of the Year award unanimously. The San Antonio Spurs star received all 100 first-place votes and captured the 2025-26 DPOY in dominant fashion.

At just 22 years old, Wembanyama is also the youngest winner in the history of the award. Chet Holmgren finished second and Ausar Thompson third in the voting, but there was no real suspense around the result given Wembanyama’s defensive dominance throughout the season.

It is the Spurs’ first DPOY since Kawhi Leonard won it in back-to-back seasons in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Wembanyama once again led the league in blocks and anchored one of the best defenses in the NBA, further confirming his status as one of the league’s defining stars.