CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers center Walter "Edy" Tavares, who received a call-up from the Raptors 905 on April 12, was named NBA Developmental League Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday.
Tavares was given the honor, which former Cavaliers swingman DeAndre Liggins earned last season, by a vote of the D-League's 22 head coaches.
Tied for the league lead in blocks at 2.7 per game, Tavares helped anchor the top defense, holding opponents to 98.0 points and 42.8 percent from the field while the Raptors 905 finished with a 39-11 record.
It's that defensive prowess that led to the Cavaliers waiving Larry Sanders and replacing him with Tavares prior to the postseason.