| Season | Defensive Player of the Year | Position | Nationality | Team |
| 2010/11 |
|
|
|
|
| 2009/10 |
Dwight Howard |
Center |
USA |
Orlando Magic |
| 2008/09 |
Howard, DwightDwight Howard |
Center |
USA |
Orlando Magic |
| 2007/08 |
Garnett, KevinKevin Garnett |
Forward |
USA |
Boston Celtics |
| 2006/07 |
Camby, MarcusMarcus Camby |
Center |
USA |
Denver Nuggets |
| 2005/06 |
Wallace, BenBen Wallace |
Center/Forward |
USA |
Detroit Pistons |
| 2004/05 |
Wallace, BenBen Wallace |
Center/Forward |
USA |
Detroit Pistons |
| 2003/04 |
Artest, RonRon Artest |
Forward/Guard |
USA |
Indiana Pacers |
| 2002/03 |
Wallace, BenBen Wallace |
Center/Forward |
USA |
Detroit Pistons |
| 2001/02 |
Wallace, BenBen Wallace |
Center/Forward |
USA |
Detroit Pistons |
| 2000/01 |
Mutombo, DikembeDikembe Mutombo |
Center |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1999/00 |
Mourning, AlonzoAlonzo Mourning |
Center |
USA |
Miami Heat |
| 1998/99 |
Mourning, AlonzoAlonzo Mourning |
Center |
USA |
Miami Heat |
| 1997/98 |
Mutombo, DikembeDikembe Mutombo |
Center |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Atlanta Hawks |
| 1996/97 |
Mutombo, DikembeDikembe Mutombo |
Center |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Atlanta Hawks |
| 1995/96 |
Payton, GaryGary Payton |
Guard |
USA |
Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1994/95 |
Mutombo, DikembeDikembe Mutombo |
Center |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Denver Nuggets |
| 1993/94 |
Olajuwon, HakeemHakeem Olajuwon |
Center |
USA |
Houston Rockets |
| 1992/93 |
Olajuwon, HakeemHakeem Olajuwon |
Center |
Nigeria |
Houston Rockets |
| 1991/92 |
Robinson, DavidDavid Robinson |
Center |
USA |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 1990/91 |
Rodman, DennisDennis Rodman |
Forward |
USA |
Detroit Pistons |
| 1989/90 |
Rodman, DennisDennis Rodman |
Forward |
USA |
Detroit Pistons |
| 1988/89 |
Eaton, MarkMark Eaton |
Center |
USA |
Utah Jazz |
| 1987/88 |
Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan |
Guard |
USA |
Chicago Bulls |
| 1986/87 |
Cooper, MichaelMichael Cooper |
Guard/Forward |
USA |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1985/86 |
Robertson, AlvinAlvin Robertson |
Guard |
USA |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 1984/85 |
Eaton, MarkMark Eaton |
Center |
USA |
Utah Jazz |
| 1983/84 |
Moncrief, SidneySidney Moncrief |
Guard |
USA |
Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1982/83 |
Moncrief, SidneySidney Moncrief |
Guard |
USA |
Milwaukee Bucks |
