The NBA has revealed the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Teams, highlighting the league’s top defenders. A global panel comprised of 100 media voters participated in the selection process.
Selection Process for All-Defensive Teams
The selection required voters to choose five players for the First Team and another five for the Second Team, irrespective of their positions. Each player received two points for a First Team vote and one point for a Second Team vote.
2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Teams
| First Team | Second Team |
|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs | Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors |
| Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder | Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons | Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat |
| Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves | OG Anunoby, New York Knicks |
| Derrick White, Boston Celtics | Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks |
Bam Adebayo: NBA’s Social Justice Champion
This year, the NBA also honored Bam Adebayo as the recipient of the Social Justice Champion Award. The award recognizes an NBA player for their commitment to social justice initiatives.
- Other finalists included Harrison Barnes, Jaylen Brown, Tobias Harris, and Larry Nance Jr.
- Adebayo will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy for his contributions.
- The announcement of the NBA Social Justice Champion will occur during the 2026 NBA Playoffs Conference Finals.
- A $100,000 donation from the NBA will be awarded to a nonprofit of Adebayo’s choice.
The 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive Teams and the Social Justice Champion Award underscore the league’s appreciation for both defensive excellence and social responsibility.
