Minnesota Timberwolves midfielder Rudy Gobert received the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy as the 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, he announced Tuesday on TNT.
– NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 7, 2024
Gobert becomes the third player in NBA history to win the award four times, joining Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace. The Wolves centre-back had already won the honours in 2020-21, 2018-19 and 2017-18.
The French local is the first player in Timberwolves history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Led by Gobert, the Timberwolves had the defensive rating, allowed the fewest consistent problems with the game and kept their teams in conflict in the lowest bracket consistent with percentage in the NBA. The top-ranked defense helped Minnesota (56-26) clinch second place. record in franchise history and third place in the Western Conference playoffs.
This season, Gobert averaged a team-high 14. 0 points on 66. 1% shooting, a team-high 12. 9 rebounds and a team-high 2. 13 blocks per game. His 2. 13 blocks were his best in blocks per game since 2020-21 (2. 68 bpg). second in the NBA in rebounds (12. 9 rpg), second in frame (. 661), second in offensive rebounds (3. 8 rpg), fourth in defensive rebounds (9. 2 rpg), 6th in blocks (2. 13 rpg) and fifth in doubles. double (54).
Gobert got the first-place votes. Here are the full effects of voting for the 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year award:
– NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 7, 2024