Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season.
Jackson Jr. receives the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for his excellent performances on the defensive end throughout the regular season, which earned him his first NBA All-Star appearance.
The 23-year-old was selected by the Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft.
The 2022-23 #KiaDPOY is… Jaren Jackson Jr!#NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/7a2CXbPY6S
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2023
Jackson Jr. led the league in blocks for the second season in a row at 3.0 per game, and he held opposing players to an NBA-low 46.9% shooting at the rim as the primary defender.
He saw off tough competition from Milwaukee Bucks big man Brook Lopez and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, who finished second and third, respectively.
The award announcement was made before Game 2 of the ongoing playoffs tie between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center.
Jackson Jr. amassed a total of 391 points, which included 56 first-place votes, 35 second-place votes, and six third-place votes.
Lopez, on the other hand, finished with 309 total points and was 25 first-place votes shy of the Memphis star, while Mobley, who completed the lists of finalists released on Monday, could only manage 101 points.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (23 years, 214 days) is the 2nd youngest #KiaDPOY in NBA history (Dwight Howard, 2008-09) and just the 4th player to win the award at 23 or younger (joining Dwight, Alvin Robertson and Kawhi Leonard). https://t.co/OZBoyaefea pic.twitter.com/kH3MmeYuun
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 17, 2023
At just 23 years and 214 days, the former Michigan State star becomes the 2nd youngest player in history to win the honour, behind three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard.
He is also just the fourth player to win the award age at 23 or younger (joining Dwight, Alvin Robertson and Kawhi Leonard).
Jackson Jr. ended the regular season averaging 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1 steal and 3.0 blocks in 63 games.
He scored 31 points, grabbed five rebounds, and finished with two blocks in the Grizzlies’ Games 1 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs on Saturday.
