Daniels, Dort, Thompson Named to NBA All-Defensive First Team

ATLANTA, Georgia — Three players, Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dort, and Amen Thompson, have been selected to the 2024-25 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team for the first time. The announcement came on May 22, 2025, as part of the NBA’s annual awards recognition.

Joining the newcomers on the prestigious list are Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers. This marks Green’s fifth First Team selection and Mobley’s second, as he was also honored in the 2022-23 season.

The All-Defensive First Team, as voted by a global media panel of 100, includes Daniels and Dort from the Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively. Daniels led the Hawks with 3.0 steals per game, showcasing his talent as a premier perimeter defender.

Thompson, in his second NBA season with the Houston Rockets, averaged 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, demonstrating versatility on defense. His ability to guard multiple positions contributed significantly to his team’s performance.

Mobley, who was crowned the 2024-25 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals per game, anchoring the Cavaliers’ defense and playing a critical role in their success.

The Second Team selections featured Toumani Camara of the Portland Trail Blazers, Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers. Camara, Williams, and Zubac earned their first selections to the All-Defensive Team.

Media voting allocated two points for each First Team vote and one point for each Second Team vote. Mobley led all players with 199 points, including 99 first-place votes. Daniels received 191 points, while Dort and Green also secured spots on the First Team.

The voting results were tabulated by Ernst & Young LLP, ensuring the integrity of the selection process. This year’s All-Defensive Teams reflect the NBA’s commitment to recognizing defensive excellence across the league.