Unanimous Victor Wembanyama, the roller coaster for Rudy Gobert: the French defense distinguished in the best five of the NBA season – BeBasket

The best defense is… France. Friday evening, shortly before the kickoff of Game 3 of the Western Conference final between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA formalized the presence of our two French pivots, Victor Wembanyama (2.24 m, 22 years old) and Rudy Gobert (2.16 m, 33 years old), within the prestigious NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Accompanied by Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson and Derrick White, they form a bulwark that would be enough to terrify any attacker.

The 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team:

â–ªï¸ Rudy Gobert, @Timberwolves
â–ªï¸ Chet Holmgren, @okcthunder
â–ªï¸ Ausar Thompson, @DetroitPistons
â–ªï¸ Victor Wembanyama, @spurs
â–ªï¸ Derrick White, @celtics pic.twitter.com/2TGi76rjCI

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 22, 2026

Undivided statistical domination

For Victor Wembanyama (2.24 m, 22 years old), this selection is obvious. Crowned Defender of the Year (DPOY) unanimously – a historic first – the inside of the Spurs collected the 200 possible points from the panel of 100 voters.

PLAYER PROFILE

Post(s): Strong Winger / Pivot

Size: 224 cm

age: 22 ans (04/01/2004)

Nationalités:

With 3.1 blocks per game (league leader for the third consecutive year) and 11.5 rebounds, “Wemby” transformed the Texan defense into the third most efficient in the league in Defensive Rating. At just 22 years old, he becomes the youngest player to accumulate such honors, confirming his extra-terrestrial status.

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For his part, Rudy Gobert (2.16 m, 33 years old) continues to make history. The Timberwolves pivot earns his eighth nomination in the first defensive five. With averages of 11.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, the quadruple DPOY anchored Minnesota’s defense (8th in the league) and remains, at 33, one of the most formidable circle protectors on the planet. Only legends like Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan have done better with nine appearances on this elite team.

The Blues in the crosshairs: an association that makes you salivate

This double distinction is a boon for the France team and its coach, Fr©déric Fauthoux. The latter did not hide his enthusiasm at the idea of ​​combining these two forces of nature next August. “It’s a reward for French basketball”he rejoiced recently, highlighting the duel of “youth versus experience” that the two players engaged in in the playoffs.

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The Blues’ summer program promises to be royal with a double confrontation against Nikola Joki’s Serbia on August 20 and 23. If Rudy Gobert is expected from the July window to face Belgium and Finland, Victor Wembanyama will be absent during these first meetings. His exceptional run to the conference final with the Spurs requires a forced rest at the start of the summer, but his meeting with the “Stifle Tower” in August is already making all French basketball fans salivate.

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