Noah named Defensive Player of Year


Apr 20, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) drives against Washington Wizards forward Nene Hilario (42) during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Washington won 102-93. Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will be named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year on Monday, according to CSN Chicago.

The Bulls said they will make a “major announcement” at 4 p.m. ET.

Noah anchors the Bulls’ defense, which ranked second in the NBA in efficiency this season. Playing without injured point guard Derrick Rose and trading forward Luol Deng during the season, the Bulls still allowed just 97.8 points per 100 possessions.

Noah, 29, averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals during the regular season.

Chicago, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, lost its first-round series opener against the No. 5 seed Washington Wizards on Sunday. Game 2 is Tuesday in Chicago.