NBA Announces Chet Holmgren as Defensive Player of the Year Finalist
No Gonzaga Bulldog has ever won a major NBA award.
Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) gestures after scoring against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images The most elite defenders of the NBA’s 2025-26 season include San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren. The three finalists for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award: ▪️Chet Holmgren, @okcthunder ▪️Ausar Thompson, @DetroitPistons ▪️Victor Wembanyama, @spurs pic.
twitter. com/x9HpxidkEv — NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2026 Holmgren is coming off an NBA All-Star appearance for the first time in his young career. He’s on the chase for a second-straight NBA championship, becoming the fourth Zag to win an NBA title last summer (Los Angeles Lakers’ Adam Morrison in 2009 and 2010, Miami Heat’s Ronny Turiaf in 2012, and San Antonio Spurs’ Austin Daye in 2014).
Through 69 starts for the Thunder, the 7-1 talent averaged 17. 1 points on a shooting split of 55. 7 percent from the field, 36.
2 percent on three-pointers, and 79. 2 percent at the charity stripe. His 8.