Victor Wembanyama continues to accumulate accolades at a pace rarely seen in the NBA. On Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs star became the only unanimous selection on the league's 2025-26 All-Defensive First Team, further evidence that his defensive prowess has already reshaped how teams approach San Antonio. All 100 voters placed him on the First Team, mirroring the clean sweep that followed his unanimous Defensive Player of the Year victory earlier this season.
Rapid Rise to Defensive Dominance
What stands out is not just the award itself, but how quickly Wembanyama has turned dominance into expectation. Three seasons into his NBA career, he already owns two First Team All-Defensive selections and has become the player opponents actively avoid near the rim. Some defenders block shots, but Wembanyama changes possessions before they even begin. Players hesitate, pull the ball back out, or abandon shots entirely once they spot his reach waiting inside.
Historic Season Stats
The announcement confirmed what most around the league expected after Wembanyama's historic season. The 21-year-old finished with 197 blocks, averaging more than three per game while also collecting 11.5 rebounds a night. He ranked near the top of the NBA in defensive rating and defensive rebounding, numbers that reinforced what the eye test already showed every week.
All-Defensive Teams Announced
Joining Wembanyama on the First Team were Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert, and Derrick White. Gobert collected his ninth career All-Defensive honor, while Holmgren, Thompson, and White each secured their first First Team appearance. The Second Team featured Bam Adebayo, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Cason Wallace, and Dyson Daniels. Daniels and Gobert are now the only players to appear on All-Defensive teams in each of the last two seasons.
Impact on Spurs and Future Duo
Wembanyama's presence has also started lifting the Spurs around him. Young guard Stephon Castle narrowly missed selection after receiving multiple First Team votes. Inside league circles, many already view Castle as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders. If both players eventually land on All-Defensive teams together, they would become the first Spurs duo to accomplish the feat since Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green did it during the 2016-17 season.
The New Standard in Defense
Around the league, the conversation has shifted from potential to certainty. Coaches, players, and voters now seem aligned on one thing: Wembanyama is already setting the standard for modern NBA defense. The question is no longer whether he belongs among elite defenders but how long the rest of the league can keep up with him.
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