San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama was named to the 2025-26 Kia All-NBA First Team, securing 99 out of 100 possible first-team votes from a global media panel. The near-unanimous selection highlights his exceptional performance in his second NBA season, though one voter controversially placed him on the Second Team. This decision has sparked discussion among fans and analysts, as expressed by sports commentator Don Harris, who stated in a social media post, "Wemby received 99 of the 100 possible 1st team votes. I'd like to know who the voter was who had him on the second team."
Wembanyama's inclusion on the All-NBA First Team marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career, following a season where he also earned unanimous selections for both the Defensive Player of the Year and the All-Defense First Team. His remarkable impact on both ends of the court made him a dominant force, leading many to anticipate a clean sweep of first-team votes for the All-NBA honor. The specific identity of the dissenting voter has not been publicly disclosed, maintaining the tradition of aggregated results rather than individual ballot transparency.
The voting results saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets achieve true unanimous First Team status, each receiving all 100 first-place votes. Wembanyama joined them alongside Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons to round out the prestigious First Team. This selection underscores Wembanyama's rapid ascent to elite status in the league, establishing him as one of the NBA's premier talents in just his second year.
Despite missing a unanimous nod, Wembanyama's season was filled with historic achievements, demonstrating his unique skill set and versatility. His ability to impact games defensively, coupled with his offensive development, solidified his position as a cornerstone for the San Antonio Spurs. The discussion surrounding the single second-team vote reflects the high expectations and universal acclaim Wembanyama has garnered, with many believing his performance warranted complete consensus for the league's top honors.
