Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley is the recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy as the 2024-25 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Evan Mobley’s journey isn’t just about slam dunks and blocked shots — it’s about building an empire. With a multi-million dollar NBA contract and endorsement deals with giants like Adidas and Chipotle,

Mobley received 35 first-place votes, 10 more than second-place finisher Dyson Daniels of the Hawks. The Warriors' Draymond Green came in third, while the Thunder's Luguentz Dort, Rockets ' Amen Thompson, Clippers ' Ivica Zubac and Bucks ' Giannis Antetokounmpo also received first-place votes.