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.[1]
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.[2]
| † | Denotes a tie for the Defensive Player of the Year Award |
| Season | Player | Position | Nationality | Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Guard | Greenville Groove | |||
| 2002–03 | Center | Roanoke Dazzle | |||
| 2003–04 | Center | Charleston Lowgators | |||
| 2004–05 | (1) | 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 | (1) | 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 | [3] | Guard | Raptors 905 (3) | ||
| 2021–22 | [4] | Guard | Delaware Blue Coats (2) | ||
| 2022–23 | Center | Capital City Go-Go | |||
| 2023–24 | (2)[5] | Guard | South Bay Lakers |