NBA All-Defensive First Team Announced; Wembanyama Unanimously Selected

Central News Agency (New York, May 22) The NBA announced tonight that after being unanimously selected as the Defensive Player of the Year last month, San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has been selected for the All-Defensive First Team as the only unanimous choice. According to Reuters, joining the 22-year-old Wembanyama on the All-Defensive First Team are Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. In the voting for Defensive Player of the Year, Holmgren and Thompson finished second and third, respectively, behind Wembanyama, who led the league in blocks for the third consecutive season with an average of 3.1 per game. In the All-Defensive First Team voting, Holmgren ranked second with 190 points, receiving 93 first-team votes and 4 second-team votes. Thompson ranked third with 166 points, receiving 72 first-team votes and 22 second-team votes. Gobert ranked fourth with 151 points, receiving 61 first-team votes and 29 second-team votes. White received 146 points, with 58 first-team votes and 30 second-team votes. Holmgren's Thunder teammate, guard Cason Wallace, was selected for the All-Defensive Second Team, along with Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, New York Knicks guard OG Anunoby, Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo. Adebayo was also named the NBA Social Justice Champion and will be awarded the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy. The NBA will donate $100,000 (approximately NT$3.18 million) to the Bam, Books & Brotherhood Foundation. Adebayo said in a team press release, 'I accept this award not just for myself, but for every voice that hasn't been heard, and for everyone working behind the scenes to build a more just and empathetic world.' Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, Spurs forward Harrison Barnes, Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr., and Pistons forward Tobias Harris were also finalists for the NBA Social Justice Champion award.