June 25, 2018; Santa Monica, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert poses for photos with his defensive player of the year award during the NBA Award Show at Barker Hanger.  Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Originally posted on Hoops Rumors  |  By Dana Gauruder  |  Last updated 6/25/18

Jazz center Rudy Gobert was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year at the NBA’s second annual awards show.

Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis and Sixers center Joel Embiid were the other finalists.

Gobert was a finalist in 2017, but the award went to the Warriors’ Draymond Green. Gobert finished second to Davis in blocks this past season with an average of 2.27 per game, but his overall defensive excellence won him the honor.

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