The NBA has officially unveiled the pinnacle of individual regular-season achievement, announcing the members of the 2025-26 All-NBA First Team. In a season defined by generational shifts and sustained dominance, the voting results reflect a league currently governed by both established icons and rapidly ascending superstars. Topping the list are Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver’s Nikola Jokic, both of whom earned the distinction of being unanimous selections.
Unanimous Excellence: SGA and Jokic Set the Standard
For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, the 2025-26 campaign was nothing short of historic. Both players received first-place votes on every single ballot cast, a testament to their undeniable impact on their respective franchises. Gilgeous-Alexander continues to cement his place as the premier two-way guard in the league, leading the Thunder to the upper echelon of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Jokic, the Denver Nuggets' centerpiece, remains the gold standard for efficiency and playmaking from the center position.
Being a unanimous selection for the All-NBA First Team is a rare feat that separates the elite from the legendary. By capturing every available first-place vote, both SGA and Jokic have removed any doubt regarding their status as the most impactful players in the game today. Their inclusion marks a consistent trend of international dominance in the NBA, as both stars hail from outside the United States.
Victor Wembanyama Nearly Makes History
Perhaps the most discussed storyline of this year’s voting was the narrow miss for San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama. The young phenom fell just one vote shy of joining Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic as a unanimous selection. Despite missing that specific milestone, Wembanyama’s inclusion on the All-NBA First Team at such an early stage of his career underscores his transformative presence on the court.
Wembanyama’s defensive gravity and evolving offensive toolkit have made him a nightmare matchup for the rest of the league. Falling just one vote short of unanimity suggests that nearly every voter viewed him as one of the five best players in basketball this season, regardless of position. His arrival on the First Team signals a new era for the Spurs and the league at large.
The Elite Five: Doncic and Cunningham Round Out the Team
Joining the trio of SGA, Jokic, and Wembanyama are Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons. For Doncic, this selection is another chapter in what is becoming one of the most decorated early-career resumes in NBA history. His ability to control the pace of the game and produce high-volume scoring and assist numbers remains unparalleled.
The inclusion of Cade Cunningham marks a significant milestone for the Detroit Pistons guard. Earning a spot on the All-NBA First Team represents his official arrival among the league's absolute best. Cunningham’s leadership and all-around playmaking were instrumental for Detroit this season, and his selection confirms his status as a cornerstone player in the NBA's hierarchy.
The Competitive Landscape of the All-NBA Ballots
While the First Team represents the five most impactful players, the voting process highlighted the incredible depth of talent currently in the NBA. Several other stars were prominently featured in the conversation, including New York’s Jalen Brunson, Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, and the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard. The talent pool was further bolstered by names like Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, and Jamal Murray, all of whom played pivotal roles for their teams this year.
The youth movement was also visible beyond Wembanyama and Cunningham, with players like Chet Holmgren, Jalen Duren, and Jalen Johnson receiving recognition in the broader voting categories. As the 2025-26 season concludes, these All-NBA First Team selections provide a clear snapshot of the players who are currently driving the league's narrative and competitive balance.
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