NBA’s global era on full display in All-NBA First Team selections

The NBA unveiled its 2025–26 All-NBA Teams, and the selections made it clear that the league’s generational shift is fully underway. Established superstars still hold their place among the elite, but the spotlight now belongs to a new international wave that is driving every conversation around the game.

All First Team… global

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the First Team after another monumental season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Canadian guard cemented his status as one of the league’s defining faces thanks to his scoring ability, leadership, and consistency throughout the year.

Alongside him was Nikola Jokic, who once again delivered historic numbers with the Denver Nuggets, while Victor Wembanyama confirmed the arrival of a new era by making the First Team at just 22 years old. Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham completed a lineup that blends present-day dominance with the future of the league.

Cunningham’s inclusion also stood out as one of the season’s biggest recognitions and notably, he was the only American on the First Team. The Detroit Pistons returned to relevance thanks to the breakout of their star guard, and the NBA rewarded him with the highest individual honor of the regular season.

A more traditional Second Team

The Second Team featured equally prominent names. Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard proved they still belong among the elite despite the passage of time, while Jalen Brunson once again led the New York Knicks into contention in the East. Jaylen Brown and Donovan Mitchell rounded out a group defined by experience and offensive firepower.

The Third Team further confirmed the NBA’s ongoing generational transition. Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Duren, and Chet Holmgren earned the biggest recognition of their young careers, while Jamal Murray stood as the lone veteran presence in a group driven by emerging talent.

The 2025–26 season made it clear that the NBA is in the middle of a definitive transition. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and other legends still carry massive influence, but the league now belongs to a new generation. And among them, Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama look ready to lead it for the next decade.

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