| Year | Winner | For |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2022-23 | Jaren Jackson Jr | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2021-22 | Marcus Smart | Boston Celtics |
| 2020-21 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2018-19 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2017-18 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2016-17 | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors |
| 2015-16 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2014-15 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2013-14 | Joakim Noah | Chicago Bulls |
| 2012-13 | Marc Gasol | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2011-12 | Tyson Chandler | New York Knicks |
| 2010-11 | Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 2009-10 | Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 2008-09 | Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic |
| 2007-08 | Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics |
| 2006-07 | Marcus Camby | Denver Nuggets |
| 2005-06 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2004-05 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2003-04 | Ron Artest | Indiana Pacers |
| 2002-03 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2001-02 | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons |
| 2000-01 | Dikembe Mutombo | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1999-00 | Alonzo Mourning | Miami Heat |
| 1998-99 | Alonzo Mourning | Miami Heat |
| 1997-98 | Dikembe Mutombo | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1996-97 | Dikembe Mutombo | Atlanta Hawks |
| 1995-96 | Gary Payton | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1994-95 | Dikembe Mutombo | Denver Nuggets |
| 1993-94 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets |
| 1992-93 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets |
| 1991-92 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1990-91 | Dennis Rodman | Detroit Pistons |
| 1989-90 | Dennis Rodman | Detroit Pistons |
| 1988-89 | Mark Eaton | Utah Jazz |
| 1987-88 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls |
| 1986-87 | Michael Cooper | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1985-86 | Alvin Robertson | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1984-85 | Mark Eaton | Utah Jazz |
| 1983-84 | Sidney Moncrief | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1982-83 | Sidney Moncrief | Milwaukee Bucks |