KBL Defensive Player of the Year


The Korean Basketball League Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual Korean Basketball League award given to the best defensive player during the regular season. The awardee is selected from players voted into the Defensive Best 5 team. In addition to contributing to their team's overall defensive record, selected players must accumulate high averages in the following statistical categories: blocks, steals and defensive rebounds.

Winners

1997 to 2009–10

SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
1997---
1997Lee Ji-sungFDaejeon Hyundai Dynat
1997Jang Yoon-seobFWonju Naray Blue Bird
1997Kim Hyun-gukFGwangju Nasan Flamans
1997Lee Hoon-jaeFBusan Kia Enterprise
1997Kim Byung-sooFWonju Naray Blue Bird
1997–98---
1997–98Joo Hee-jungGWonju Naray Blue Bird
1997–98Park Kyu-hyunGGyeongnam LG Sakers
1997–98Kim Young-manFBusan Kia Enterprise
1997–98Kim Hyun-guk FGwangju Nasan Flamans
1997–98Park Jae-heonCGyeongnam LG Sakers
1998–99---
1998–99Joo Hee-jung GSuwon Samsung Thunders
1998–99Stais BosemanGIncheon Daewoo Zeus
1998–99Choo Seung-gyunFDaejeon Hyundai Gullivers
1998–99Lee Hoon-jae FDaegu Tongyang Orions
1998–99Park Jae-heonCChangwon LG Sakers
1999–00---
1999–00Joo Hee-jung GSuwon Samsung Thunders
1999–00Roderick HannibalGCheongju SK Knights
1999–00Choo Seung-gyun FDaejeon Hyundai Gullivers
1999–00Yang Kyung-minFWonju Sambo Xers
1999–00Lorenzo HallCDaejeon Hyundai Gullivers

2011–12 to 2013–14

There were no Defensive Best 5 selections from the 2011–12 season until the 2013–14 season. During that time period, only the Defensive Player of the Year Award was awarded to one player.
SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2011–12Kim Joo-sungC/FWonju Dongbu Promy
2012–13Yang Dong-geunGUlsan Mobis Phoebus
2013–14Yang Hee-jongFAnyang KGC

2023–24 to present

The Defensive Best 5 was scrapped after the 2022–23 season. Beginning with the 2023–24 season, only one player is awarded the Defensive Player of the Year.
SeasonPlayerPositionTeam
2023–24Oh Jae-hyun^ GSeoul SK Knights
2024–25Jeong Sung-woo^ GDaegu KOGAS Pegasus