Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic Lead 2026 All-NBA First Team Honors with Wembanyama Narrowly Missing Unanimous Selection

The 2026 All-NBA First Team was officially unveiled, highlighting the league's top performers and offering a glimpse into the NBA's evolving landscape. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets were honored as unanimous selections, reflecting their dominant seasons and high impact on both ends of the floor.

Joining them on the elite list are Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons. The selection signals a generational shift, as rising stars solidified their status alongside established MVPs.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic were unanimous first-team selections, underscoring their widespread recognition among voters for their performances throughout the season.
• Victor Wembanyama, in just his sophomore NBA season, fell one vote shy of joining the unanimous club, further highlighting his rapid ascent among league leaders.
• Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham complete the first team, each bringing their unique skill sets and leadership to their respective franchises.

According to ESPN, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic stood out as clear first-team picks, with Wembanyama nearly matching their universal acclaim. The New Haven Register corroborated the selections, emphasizing the youth and diversity of talent represented on the ballot this year.

The inclusion of Victor Wembanyama on the first team, nearly as a unanimous selection, is particularly noteworthy. The San Antonio center has quickly established himself as one of the league's elite, displaying a combination of defensive prowess and offensive versatility rarely seen at his position. His near-unanimous selection places him in elite company just two years into his NBA career.

Luka Doncic, representing the Mavericks, continues his streak as one of the league's premier playmakers, while Cade Cunningham’s breakthrough campaign with the Pistons earns him his first appearance on the All-NBA First Team, signaling Detroit's optimism for the future.

The 2026 All-NBA selections also highlight the international flavor of the league, with stars from Canada (Gilgeous-Alexander), Serbia (Jokic), France (Wembanyama), and Slovenia (Doncic) making up four of the five spots. This reflects the NBA’s ongoing global growth and the expanding pipeline of talent from overseas.

For a full breakdown of player stats and voting results, fans can visit the official NBA All-NBA Awards page.