Rudy Gobert of Jazz is honored NBA defensive player of the year

Santa Monica, California • The mainstay of Utah Jazz's defense was honored on Monday night as the best defender of the NBA.

Rudy Gobert, Utah's 7-foot-1 throwing blocker, won his first career defensive player title this year. Tucking a bespoke pink suit to take on his 7-foot-9-inch wingspan, Gobert – one of the NBA's most prolific firing blockers – got the nod from the NBA's No. 2 defensive .

Gobert said that he thought the prize was a reflection of the defensive mentality that the jazz organization has adopted from the ground up.

"I think when you're a great defensive team, you give yourself a chance every night," he said. "I think it's a big factor, and it's a good thing to build."

The French center averaged 2.3 blocks per game, and the Jazz allowed only 97.7 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.

While injuries limited Gobert to just 56 appearances last season, the Jazz were 37-19 when he played, including a 29-6 run for the last 35 games of the season to return to the playoffs. Gobert received 94 of 100 first-place votes for the first NBA All-Defense team, more than any other player.

He outshot Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid of New Orleans for the honor, becoming the first Jazzman to win DPOY since the double winner Mark Eaton – also a feared shooting blocking center.

In at least one other price, the Jazz has come to a close.

Donovan Mitchell was second to Ben Simmons of Philadelphia for the rookie of the year, even though he dominated the Jazz leader standings and set a record of 3 points in a season ( 187).