Defensive Excellence Recognized

The NBA officially revealed its 2025-26 All-Defensive First Team on Friday, with San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama leading the selection. Wembanyama, who secured this season’s Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) honors unanimously by receiving all 100 first-place votes, continues to solidify his status as the league's premier rim protector.

Joining him on the First Team is Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who earned 93 first-place votes. Their inclusion highlights a dominant season for the two young big men, who both ranked among the league's top three in blocks.

The First Team Composition

The elite defensive squad is rounded out by three other notable stars:

  • Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons) – A DPOY finalist whose disruptive playmaking made him a standout.
  • Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) – The veteran center continues to be a staple of defensive excellence.
  • Derrick White (Boston Celtics) – A key defensive anchor in the backcourt for Boston.

The NBA also named the All-Defensive Second Team, which features Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Cason Wallace (OKC Thunder), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), OG Anunoby (New York Knicks), and Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks). Additionally, Bam Adebayo was honored with the Social Justice Champion award.

Spotlight on Top Defensive Performers

The league’s top three defensive players demonstrated exceptional impact throughout the campaign:

Victor Wembanyama: The Rim Protector

Wembanyama’s influence in the paint remains unmatched. Averaging 3.1 blocks per game, the 22-year-old has led the league in rejections for three consecutive seasons. Beyond his shot-blocking, he displayed impressive discipline, fouling out only twice throughout the entire regular season.

Chet Holmgren: The Defensive Anchor

Holmgren proved vital to an Oklahoma City defense that boasted the league's top rating (106.5). Demonstrating durability by playing 69 games, Holmgren limited opponents to the lowest field-goal percentage at the rim (47.7%) among players who defended at least 300 such attempts. This marks his inaugural appearance on the All-Defensive Team.

Ausar Thompson: The Steals Leader

In his third season, Thompson established himself as a disruptive force, leading the NBA with 2.0 steals per game. His defensive intensity was a primary factor in the Pistons maintaining one of the league's most effective defensive units.

A Legacy of Defense

Rudy Gobert remains a perennial powerhouse on these lists. This year’s selection marks his ninth career All-Defensive honor, with eight of those being First Team nods. Despite moving into his mid-30s, Gobert’s average of 11.5 rebounds per game and his contribution as a four-time DPOY winner underscore his continued value as one of the most reliable interior defenders in basketball history.