10 players with multiple NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards

Since the 1982-83 season, 23 players have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award
Since the 1982-83 season, 23 players have won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award

#8 Alonzo Mourning - 2 NBA DPOY awards

Photo Credit: NBA.com.
Photo Credit: NBA.com.

Hall-of-Famer Alonzo Mourning won two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards during his 15-year career. Mourning played for three teams: the Charlotte Hornets, the Miami Heat and the New Jersey Nets.

With Miami, Mourning was at his best. He took two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in the 1998-99 and 1999-00 NBA seasons.

He led the league in blocks per game in those two seasons, with averages of 3.9 and 3.7. His average of 3.9 in the 1998-99 season is the highest since 1996.


#7 Hakeem Olajuwon - 2 NBA DPOY awards

The Dream.
The Dream.

Hakeem Olajuwon is arguably the greatest center in NBA history. He had all the moves on offense and was great at defending almost every position when his team needed him.

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He is one of five players to win the NBA MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards. He is one of three players to win MVP and NBA DPOY in the same season, alongside Michael Jordan and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Hakeem was the first player with multiple NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and multiple Finals MVPs in NBA history (Kawhi Leonard did it afterwards).


#6 Dennis Rodman - 2 NBA DPOY awards

Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan.
Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan.

Dennis Rodman is surely one of the best defenders in the history of the NBA, and his rebounding is arguably unmatched. Even at 6' 7'', he led the league in seven straight seasons.

During his days with the 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons, Rodman won two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1990 and 1991. He was arguably the most versatile defender in NBA history.

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Rodman is also a five-time NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons and the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.


#5 Mark Eaton - 2 NBA DPOY awards

Photo Credit: Twitter @UtahJazz.
Photo Credit: Twitter @UtahJazz.

Mark Eaton was an intimidating figure in the paint during the 1980s. At 7' 4'', he had unreal timing to block shots, and his defensive presence in the interior earned him two NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophies.

The center of the Utah Jazz won the award after setting the all-time record of 5.6 blocks per game in a single season. His second trophy came in 1989.

He led the league in blocks per game four times during his 11-year NBA career.

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