Full Breakdown
Victor Wembanyama Leads 2025-26 NBA All-Defensive First Team
5/23/2026, 1:02:04 PM
All-Defensive Teams Announced
The NBA announced the 2025-26 Kia All-Defensive Teams on May 22, 2026. A 100-member media panel voted with a 2-point/1-point system; Ernst & Young tabulated the results. The First Team includes Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Ausar Thompson (Pistons), Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves) and Derrick White (Celtics). The Second Team features Bam Adebayo (Heat), Cason Wallace (Thunder), OG Anunoby (Knicks), Scottie Barnes (Raptors) and Dyson Daniels (Hawks). The Thunder were the only club with two honorees (Holmgren and Wallace).
Defensive Leaders & Statistics
Victor Wembanyama earned a unanimous First-Team spot and his third straight league-leading 3.1 blocks per game (197 total). Opponents shot 40.7 % when he defended – the lowest mark among players with >=500 shots – and he logged 9.3 contested shots per game, 4.11 “stocks” (steals + blocks) per game, 50 multi-block performances (including 17 games with five or more blocks). The Spurs posted a 110.4 defensive rating (second in the league) and were 12.3 points per 100 possessions better with Wembanyama on the floor.
Chet Holmgren, second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, averaged 1.9 blocks per game; the Thunder’s defensive rating rose from 102.3 with him on the floor to 107.9 when he was off it.
Ausar Thompson led the league with 2.0 steals per game.
Rudy Gobert secured his eighth First-Team selection, moving toward a potential ten-selection record.
Voting placed Wembanyama first with 200 points, Holmgren second with 190, and Thompson third with 166.
Official Statements & Responses
The NBA praised the “position-agnostic” format and highlighted the defensive impact of the honorees. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, “That young man has a rare desire to step into every moment that’s in front of him… he has some rare, God-given ability.”
Criticism & Opposition
Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who earned five first-place votes, said he was disappointed to miss the First Team, calling himself a deserving defender.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Holmgren’s games played are listed as 69 in one source, while other reports omit the figure, leaving a minor data gap.
Why It Matters
Wembanyama’s unanimous selection sets a historic defensive benchmark and underscores the Spurs’ elite defense. The three under-25 First-Team honorees signal a league-wide shift toward younger rim protectors, influencing contract valuations and future award narratives.
What’s Next
The NBA will announce All-NBA teams on Sunday and the Coach of the Year award on Tuesday. The Social Justice Champion Award, won by Bam Adebayo, will be presented during the 2026 Conference Finals. The Spurs and Thunder continue their Western Conference Finals series.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm super happy to win this award ... proud to be the first-ever unanimous (winner).” — Victor Wembanyama, Spurs center
- “The real struggle might have been getting to 65 games,” — Victor Wembanyama, Spurs center
- “If we don't know that it's impossible,” — Victor Wembanyama, Spurs center
- “I feel like everybody (felt) like he was Defensive Player of the Year,” — Stephon Castle, Spurs guard
