Victor Wembanyama Makes History as Unanimous All-Defensive First Team Selection

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has become the NBA's only unanimous selection for the 2025-26 All-Defensive First Team, underscoring his remarkable impact on the defensive end and solidifying his status as one of the league's premier stoppers. The announcement, made by the league on Thursday, places Wembanyama at the forefront of a group that includes Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert, and Derrick White as the league’s elite defenders of the season.

Wembanyama’s recognition as a unanimous pick not only reflects his individual excellence but also the high regard in which coaches and media members hold his defensive contributions. Standing at 7-foot-4 with an incredible wingspan and agility, Wembanyama has quickly established himself as a game-changer on that end of the floor, anchoring a young Spurs team with his rim protection, switchability, and shot-blocking instincts.

• Wembanyama was the only unanimous selection to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2026
• Other First Team members: Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), Derrick White (Boston Celtics)

The All-Defensive Team is selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, who vote for the league's top defenders at each position. Being named unanimously is a rare feat, signifying that every voter recognized Wembanyama’s dominance. This honor places him in a prestigious lineage of defensive greats who have anchored All-Defensive teams, and marks a significant milestone in his early NBA career.

Wembanyama’s selection comes after a season in which he consistently altered opponents’ game plans with his shot-blocking and positional awareness. His presence in the paint forced teams to adjust their offensive approaches, and he often drew assignments against the league’s top scorers, showcasing both versatility and discipline.

The rest of the All-Defensive First Team represents a blend of established veterans and emerging stars. Rudy Gobert, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, continues to be a fixture on the team, while Derrick White’s defensive leadership for the Celtics earned him a spot among the league’s best. Rising talents like Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson round out the lineup, each making significant impacts on their respective teams with energy, length, and anticipation.

• Holmgren and Thompson’s inclusion highlights a trend of young, versatile defenders earning league-wide recognition
• Gobert’s repeated honors reinforce his reputation as one of the era’s most impactful interior defenders

With this selection, Wembanyama joins an exclusive group of players who have been recognized as the NBA’s top defenders early in their careers—a testament to his rare combination of size, mobility, and basketball IQ. His unanimous selection sets him apart as a generational defensive talent and signals his continued rise as a franchise cornerstone for San Antonio.