Pro Basketball All-Defensive 1st Team Selections
Short Answer
Both the model and the market overwhelmingly agree that Victor Wembanyama is most likely to be selected for the Pro Basketball All-Defensive 1st Team in 2026, with only minor residual uncertainty.
1. Executive Verdict
- Historically, DPOY winners occasionally miss All-Defensive First Team recognition.
- Bam Adebayo shows significant defensive impact, building a strong First Team case.
- Ausar Thompson emerged as a top-tier disruptor; OG Anunoby's metrics robust.
- Chet Holmgren is strongly positioned; Evan Mobley's chances may be limited.
- All-Defensive teams are scheduled for reveal Friday, May 22, 2026.
Who Wins and Why
| Outcome | Market | Model | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ausar Thompson | 98.0% | 98.2% | Ausar Thompson is widely recognized for his exceptional defensive capabilities and versatility. |
| Scottie Barnes | 82.0% | 79.1% | Scottie Barnes has demonstrated strong defensive potential and versatility across multiple positions. |
| Rudy Gobert | 94.0% | 94.1% | Rudy Gobert is a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate and an elite rim protector. |
| Derrick White | 23.0% | 12.2% | Derrick White is a strong perimeter defender, yet faces tough competition for a 1st Team spot. |
| Chet Holmgren | 97.0% | 96.0% | Chet Holmgren has established himself as a high-impact shot-blocker and interior defensive anchor. |
Current Context
The official NBA All-Defensive Teams announcement is imminent. As of May 21, 2026, the official announcement of the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams is scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026 [^]. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was notably named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, marking a historic achievement as the first unanimous winner of the award [^][^].
Experts widely project several players for the All-Defensive First Team. Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and Ausar Thompson are consistently projected by experts and analysts for selection to the All-Defensive First Team [^][^][^][^][^]. These projections frequently also include Rudy Gobert and either Derrick White or Scottie Barnes to complete the first team roster [^][^][^][^][^].
2. Market Behavior & Price Dynamics
Historical Price (Probability)
Outcome probability
Date
This market has exhibited extreme stability, with the price holding steady at a 99.0% YES probability across all 75 recorded data points. There have been no significant price movements, spikes, or drops. The chart indicates a completely flat, sideways trend from its inception. This price level acts as both a constant support and resistance, as the market has never deviated from this high-conviction point. The unwavering price suggests that traders have considered this outcome a near-certainty for the entire duration of the market's activity.
The consistent 99.0% price is strongly supported by the provided context. Victor Wembanyama was recently named the unanimous Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, a historic achievement that solidifies his status as the league's top defender for the season. This award makes his selection to the All-Defensive First Team a virtual formality in the eyes of the market. The total trading volume of 82 contracts, while modest, has failed to create any price volatility. This pattern suggests that while there has been some trading, the overwhelming consensus has absorbed all activity without impacting the price, indicating a lack of sellers willing to challenge this outcome.
Overall, the chart reflects an extremely high and unwavering market sentiment that Victor Wembanyama will be selected for the All-Defensive First Team. The price action, or lack thereof, indicates that traders priced in this eventuality from the beginning, and subsequent news, such as his Defensive Player of the Year award, has only served to cement this conviction. The market is essentially treating the selection as a foregone conclusion ahead of the official announcement.
3. Market Data
Contract Snapshot
The provided text only includes the market title "Pro Basketball All-Defensive 1st Team Selections Odds & Predictions 2026" and navigation links. It does not contain any details regarding the triggers for YES or NO resolutions, key dates, or special settlement conditions for this Kalshi market.
Available Contracts
Market options and current pricing
| Outcome bucket | Yes (price) | No (price) | Last trade probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | $1.00 | $0.01 | 99% |
| Ausar Thompson | $0.98 | $0.03 | 98% |
| Chet Holmgren | $1.00 | $0.03 | 97% |
| Rudy Gobert | $0.95 | $0.08 | 94% |
| Scottie Barnes | $0.82 | $0.19 | 82% |
| Derrick White | $0.24 | $0.80 | 23% |
| Cason Wallace | $0.04 | $1.00 | 5% |
| Amen Thompson | $0.05 | $1.00 | 4% |
| Donovan Clingan | $0.03 | $1.00 | 4% |
| Draymond Green | $0.04 | $1.00 | 4% |
| Dyson Daniels | $0.06 | $1.00 | 4% |
| Ivica Zubac | $0.02 | $1.00 | 4% |
| Luguentz Dort | $0.03 | $0.99 | 4% |
| OG Anunoby | $0.03 | $0.98 | 4% |
| Evan Mobley | $0.03 | $1.00 | 3% |
| Toumani Camara | $0.04 | $1.00 | 3% |
| Isaiah Stewart | $0.02 | $1.00 | 2% |
| Kawhi Leonard | $0.02 | $1.00 | 2% |
| Bam Adebayo | $0.03 | $1.00 | 1% |
| Matas Buzelis | $0.02 | $1.00 | 0% |
| Myles Turner | $0.02 | $1.00 | 0% |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | $0.02 | $1.00 | 0% |
Market Discussion
As of May 21, 2026, the 2025-26 NBA All-Defensive First Team has not yet been officially announced, though prediction markets are actively trading on the outcome with a resolution deadline of June 30, 2026 [^][^][^]. Social media and sports commentary consensus strongly projects Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and Ausar Thompson as locks for the team, with Rudy Gobert and Derrick White frequently cited as the other two favored selections [^][^][^]. The NBA has already announced final regular-season awards, including the 2025-26 All-Rookie First Team on May 20, 2026 [^].
4. What is the historical correlation between winning Defensive Player of the Year and securing a unanimous All-Defensive First Team selection, and what does this imply for Victor Wembanyama in 2026?
| DPOY on All-Defensive Second Team | 4 times (1986, 1995, 2012, 2013) [^] |
|---|---|
| All-Defensive Team voting change | Started 2013-14 season [^][^][^] |
| Victor Wembanyama DPOY | 2025-26, first unanimous selection [^][^] |
Historically, DPOY winners occasionally missed All-Defensive First Team recognition. There have been four specific instances where the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) was named to the All-Defensive Second Team: Alvin Robertson (1986), Dikembe Mutombo (1995), Tyson Chandler (2012), and Marc Gasol (2013). These occurrences all predated a significant change in the voting process, when NBA head coaches were solely responsible for selecting the All-Defensive Teams [^]. Starting with the 2013-14 season, a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters began voting for the All-Defensive Teams, aligning this selection process with the DPOY award and subsequently strengthening the correlation between winning DPOY and securing a First Team spot [^][^][^][^][^]. Furthermore, from the 2023-24 season onward, All-Defensive Team selections became positionless, requiring players to appear in at least 65 regular-season games for eligibility [^][^].
Victor Wembanyama's historic DPOY win signals a likely First Team spot. As the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Wembanyama made history as both the first unanimous DPOY selection and the youngest player ever to achieve this honor [^]. His dominant defensive performance included leading the NBA in key statistical categories such as blocks per game, total blocks, opponent field goal percentage, and contested shots per game [^]. Given his unprecedented DPOY victory and exceptional defensive statistics, Wembanyama is widely considered to be a near-certain selection for the 2026 All-Defensive First Team [^][^][^].
5. What is the statistical and film-based case for Bam Adebayo's 2025-26 All-Defensive First Team candidacy amid competition from Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert?
| Adebayo Rebounds, Steals, Blocks | 10.0 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 1.2 blocks per game (ESPN) [^] |
|---|---|
| Adebayo Defensive On-Off Differential | 5.4 (Miami Heat season-review source) [^] |
| Wembanyama DPOY Votes | All 100 first-place votes for 2025-26 DPOY (CBS Sports) [^] |
Bam Adebayo showcases significant defensive impact through his statistical profile. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 10.0 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, reinforcing his role as a defensive anchor for All-Defense consideration [^]. His strong influence on team defense is further supported by a 5.4 defensive on-off differential, indicating the Miami Heat allowed 112.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the court compared to 117.9 when he was off [^]. This differential serves as a key indicator of his on-court defensive impact, akin to a film-based analysis [^].
Adebayo faces formidable competition for an All-Defensive First Team spot. Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert are prominently listed among the projected First Team selections in various predictions [^]. Wembanyama, in particular, was the unanimous 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, securing all 100 first-place votes [^]. This extraordinary achievement significantly elevates Wembanyama's candidacy, presenting a considerable challenge for Adebayo to secure a First Team selection over such dominant defensive performers [^].
6. How did the defensive roles and matchup difficulties of Ausar Thompson and OG Anunoby compare throughout the 2025-26 NBA season?
| Ausar Thompson NBA Steals Rank | 1st in NBA [^][^] |
|---|---|
| Ausar Thompson Defensive Rating | 105.5 [^][^] |
| OG Anunoby Defensive Rating | 112.1 [^][^] |
Ausar Thompson emerged as a top-tier "Disruptor" defender for Detroit. During the 2025-26 NBA season, Thompson consistently embraced the most challenging individual matchups and served as the primary point-of-attack defender for the Detroit Pistons [^][^][^]. His combination of a 6'7" height, a 7'0" wingspan, and exceptional athleticism allowed him to effectively guard all five positions on the court [^][^]. Thompson's defensive prowess was reflected in his league-leading steals, his fourth-place ranking in steals per game, fourth in defensive box plus/minus, seventh in defensive win shares, and third in defensive rating across the NBA [^][^]. His individual defensive rating for the season stood at 105.5 [^][^]. This consistent on-ball pressure and efficiency in disrupting passing lanes were crucial factors in the Pistons maintaining the NBA's second-best defense [^][^].
OG Anunoby experienced a notable defensive decline early in the season. While historically recognized as a "Versatile Stopper," Anunoby's defensive performance reportedly declined during the initial 35 games of the 2025-26 season [^][^][^]. This decline was partially attributed to a change in his defensive assignments, which included occasionally guarding less potent three-point shooters and taking on more off-ball help defensive responsibilities, sometimes leading to his direct assignment being left open [^]. Opponents shot 45.9% on 12.8 attempts per game against him, representing a 3.1% increase compared to the previous season [^]. Furthermore, the New York Knicks' defensive rating with Anunoby on the floor was 113.5 points per 100 possessions, an increase from 111.4 points the prior season [^]. Anunoby's individual defensive rating for the season was 112.1 [^][^].
7. Which media members and analytical models provide public ballots or predictions for the 2025-26 NBA All-Defensive teams?
| Official Voters | NBA head coaches [^] |
|---|---|
| Unofficial Predictions By | Media members like Dan Devine, The Ringer, Mike Shearer [^][^][^] and prediction markets like Polymarket, Kalshi, Robinhood, Coinbase [^][^][^][^] |
| Announcement Deadline | Before June 30, 2026 [^][^][^] |
Public entities offer various predictions for 2025-26 NBA All-Defensive teams. For the 2025-26 NBA All-Defensive teams, public predictions are disseminated through multiple channels. Media members such as Dan Devine (Yahoo Sports) [^], The Ringer [^], and Mike Shearer (Basketball Poetry) [^] have released their individual ballots and projections. In parallel, prediction markets including Polymarket [^], Kalshi [^], Robinhood [^], and Coinbase [^] have presented contracts, allowing participants to wager on specific player selections, with examples like Ausar Thompson and Chet Holmgren mentioned in these markets [^][^].
NBA head coaches officially select All-Defensive teams, distinct from public predictions. Despite these public forecasts from media and prediction markets, the official 2025-26 NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams are determined by votes cast by NBA head coaches [^]. The NBA is anticipated to announce these official selections before June 30, 2026, with the announcement process expected to occur in stages throughout the playoffs [^][^][^].
8. How heavily do team defensive rank and games played historically influence All-Defensive voting, and how could these factors affect Chet Holmgren and Evan Mobley's 2026 selections?
| Chet Holmgren Projected Games (2025-26) | 69 games [^][^][^][^] |
|---|---|
| Thunder Projected Defensive Rating (2025-26) | 107.7 (best in league) [^][^][^] |
| Evan Mobley 2025 DPOY Award | Yes [^] |
Holmgren is strongly positioned for 2026 All-Defensive Team consideration. Chet Holmgren is projected to play 69 games in the 2025-26 season, which comfortably surpasses the 65-game eligibility threshold established for major individual awards, including the All-Defensive Team, since the 2023-24 season [^][^][^][^]. The Oklahoma City Thunder are anticipated to achieve the league's top defensive rating of 107.7 in 2025-26, following a 2024-25 campaign where they were recognized as a historically great defensive team and won an NBA championship [^][^][^][^][^][^]. As a crucial defensive anchor on what is expected to be the NBA's premier defensive unit, combined with a projected average of 1.9 blocks per game in 2025-26, Holmgren is well-positioned to receive substantial votes [^][^][^][^][^].
Evan Mobley faces challenges despite elite defensive history. Mobley is projected to play exactly 65 games in the 2025-26 season, thereby meeting the minimum eligibility requirement [^]. He has already established himself as an elite defender, having earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 and being named to the All-Defensive First Team twice, in 2023 and 2025 [^]. Mobley is also projected to average 1.7 blocks per game in 2025-26 [^]. However, the Cavaliers are expected to post a defensive rating of 115.1, which would place them approximately 15th in the league [^][^]. The All-Defensive Teams have been positionless since the 2023-24 season, allowing for greater flexibility in recognizing top defenders regardless of their traditional roles [^][^].
9. What Could Change the Odds
Key Catalysts
The NBA scheduled the reveal of the 2025-26 All-Defensive First and Second Teams for Friday, May 22, 2026 [^] . - CrunchSports - Global Sports News">[^]. Major NBA award announcements, including All-Defensive and All-NBA teams, are concentrated during the Conference Finals period in May 2026 [^][^].
Key Dates & Catalysts
- Expiration: June 30, 2026
- Closes: June 30, 2026
10. Decision-Flipping Events
- Trigger: The NBA scheduled the reveal of the 2025-26 All-Defensive First and Second Teams for Friday, May 22, 2026 [^] .
- Trigger: Major NBA award announcements, including All-Defensive and All-NBA teams, are concentrated during the Conference Finals period in May 2026 [^] [^] .
- Trigger: The date 2026-06-30 is a common settlement or resolution date for many prediction markets, such as championship futures and service disruption bets, but is not specific to the NBA All-Defensive team announcements, which occur earlier in the postseason [^] [^] [^] .
12. Historical Resolutions
No historical resolution data available for this series.
Get Real-Time Research Updates
Sign up for early access to live reports, historical data, and AI-powered market insights delivered to your inbox.
