Story by
'Another surreal moment': Evan Mobley, Cavs celebrate win for Defensive Player of the Year
- Story by
- 'Another surreal moment': Evan Mobley, Cavs celebrate win for Defensive Player of the Year
MIAMI — Evan Mobley , Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson , Donovan Mitchell , a few other teammates and some team personnel all crowded into a room in Miami a few minutes before the announcement.
There wasn't much time to settle in, but it was enough. There won't be too much time to celebrate, either, as the Cavaliers are preparing for Game 3 Saturday, April 26, against the Miami Heat . The Cavs opened up a 2-0 series lead in Cleveland .
Advertisement
But Mobley and the Cavs were given the moment for which they had been waiting, and all gathered in a large room in Miami where they watched the announcement he had been named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year .
"It was great, we got in like two minutes, three minutes before the announcement went straight to the room and it was just like another surreal moment in my career," Mobley said. "Just hearing my name called like that, knowing I won the award finally and just my teammates being there with me, it felt great."
In doing so, Mobley became the first player to win the award in franchise history and the fifth youngest in NBA history. Adidas, in celebration of Mobley's win, "blocked" all of the other 29 teams on social media.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) passes around Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley during Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff series April 23, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Evan Mobley wins NBA DPOY before Cavs-Heat Game 3
Mobley doesn't often raise his voice on his own behalf. Teammates have had to basically drag him along and beg him to "talk his talk" during awards season. But, quietly, this is one accolade he had pinned as a major goal on the career checklist.
Advertisement
"It's like a dream come true," Mobley said. "I mean, you dream of this your whole life. At first it's just a dream to get to the NBA, and then it's a dream of playing real minutes in the NBA. Then it's a dream — just keep stacking on top of each other."
In his fourth NBA season, Mobley's progression into what the Cavaliers knew was possible was a major factor in Cleveland securing the No. 1 seed in the East. It's also the end result of some building blocks Mobley put into place over the summer to get to this point — and some league recognition.
It helped Mobley evolve from, perhaps, a road block in the paint to more of a brick wall.
"This year I got a trainer and we worked hard to build mass, build strength, and I feel like that really helped me throughout the season," Mobley said. "Now I'm feeling great for the postseason, just gotta keep that up until the end."
Advertisement
Now it's back to business.
"Next is a championship, actually," Mobley said when asked what was next for him. "That's the main focus right now. Back in playoff mode. Back trying to get another win tomorrow and continue this playoff run."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: NBA awards: Cavs forward Evan Mobley wins Defensive Player of the Year
