Lonzo Ball picks Jrue Holiday over 2024 DPOY on his list of top 5 defenders in the NBA

Former UCLA star guard Lonzo Ball shared his top five defenders in the NBA, and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year winner wasn't on the list. Meanwhile, Ball added fellow Bruin Jrue Holiday as a late inclusion to his team.

During the recent episode of his podcast, "What An Experience," his co-host shared that there aren't any guards in the All-Defensive First Team. This prompted Ball to name his All-Defensive First Team in the league.

Firstly, he named San Antonio Spurs rookie, Victor Wembanyama, who was also a runner-up for the DPOY award. Next, it was Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. For his third pick, he named the Miami Heat's two-way center, Bam Adebayo.

Then he mentioned OKC Thunder's Lu Dort and his teammate, Alex Caruso. He replaced Dort with his former teammate Jrue Holiday to finalize his list. Oddly enough, Rudy Gobert, who won DPOY this season, wasn't included. Watch the video below to see Ball name his own All-Defensive First Team.

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In his version, all the players he named made it to the All-Defensive teams. Adebayo and Wemby were included in the First Team, while Holiday, Caruso and McDaniels completed the Second Team.

For the first time in history, the league's All-Defensive First Team didn't feature a backcourt player. The guards who made the All-Defensive team were all included in the Second Team.

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Lonzo Ball has high praise for Wemby

Much like most fans, Lonzo Ball has been impressed with what Wemby is capable of doing on the floor. He won the Rookie of the Year award and was a finalist for the DPOY award. In his first season, the French big man has lived up to the expectations set before him and has the potential to be a superstar in the league.

For Ball, he believes that the Spurs center could potentially have the best career in the league.

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"Wemby's probably the best defensive player, he might be the best defensive player we've ever seen," Ball said.

"He has the chance to be the best player ever, potentially. I'll say that right now and I'll stand on ten."

Wemby averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks to wrap up his first season in the NBA. On top of that, he shot 46.5% from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc. With his spectacular rookie year, many expect him to follow it up with a breathtaking sophomore year.

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