On May 24, 2026, the NBA announced the 2025-26 All-NBA Team selections, highlighting a historic era for Canadian basketball as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earned a unanimous First Team nod. While the Oklahoma City Thunder star celebrated back-to-back MVP honours, the Toronto Raptors faced a complete shutout despite notable performances from Scottie Barnes. This year’s selections reflect a significant shift in league hierarchy, as younger talent displaces long-standing veterans in the 2026 All-NBA Team selections.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a unanimous First Team selection and back-to-back league MVP.
- Jamal Murray earned his first career All-NBA nomination, making the Third Team.
- The Toronto Raptors were excluded from all three teams, with Scottie Barnes falling just short.
- LeBron James is absent from the All-NBA lists for the first time in over two decades.
The rise of Canadian dominance in the 2026 NBA landscape
Canadian basketball has reached an unprecedented peak in the 2025-26 season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, originally from Toronto and raised in Hamilton, secured all 100 first-place votes. This achievement places him alongside Nikola Jokic as the only unanimous selections this year. Gilgeous-Alexander joins the legendary Steve Nash as the only Canadians to win consecutive MVP awards.
His statistical profile justifies the consensus among voters. He averaged 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and a career-high 6.6 assists per game. These figures helped him lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Western Conference finals. According to advanced metrics from Basketball Reference, Gilgeous-Alexander posted a league-leading 15.2 win shares during the regular season.
Why did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receive unanimous First Team honours?
Gilgeous-Alexander dominated the regular season with efficiency and late-game composure. He recently edged out Jamal Murray for the Clutch Player of the Year award. His ability to facilitate the Thunder’s offence while maintaining elite scoring volume impressed every voter. The guard’s defensive contributions also took a step forward, making him a complete two-way threat.
He is currently leading the Thunder in a high-stakes series against the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder held a 2-1 lead as of Sunday night. His leadership has transformed Oklahoma City into a perennial championship contender. This unanimous selection confirms his status as the premier guard in the modern NBA.
How did Jamal Murray and other stars impact the 2026 rankings?
Kitchener’s Jamal Murray finally broke through for his first All-NBA nomination. The Denver Nuggets guard earned a spot on the Third Team. Murray averaged career highs in points and assists this season. He received 27 second-team votes and 68 third-team nods from the panel.
The First Team also featured Victor Wembanyama, who nearly achieved a unanimous selection. The Spurs’ phenom missed the perfect score by only one vote. Joining them were Luka Doncic of the Lakers and Cade Cunningham of the Pistons. Cunningham’s rise to the First Team represents the rapid development of the Pistons’ young core.
The Second and Third Team breakdowns
The Second Team includes established stars like Jaylen Brown and Kawhi Leonard. Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, and Jalen Brunson also secured spots. These players represent the consistent elite of the league’s middle tier. Their selections came at the expense of several rising stars who lacked the same statistical efficiency.
The Third Team highlights the league’s interior depth. Alongside Jamal Murray, the team features Jalen Duren and Chet Holmgren. Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Johnson rounded out the final spots. Johnson’s inclusion was a point of contention for many fans in the North.
Why were the Toronto Raptors excluded from the All-NBA rosters?
The Toronto Raptors were notably absent from the final list of fifteen players. Scottie Barnes received nine third-team votes but ultimately fell short. Brandon Ingram also received a single vote for the third team. This exclusion marks a disappointing end to a season where many expected Barnes to take the next step.
Analysts suggest the eligibility of Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham hurt Barnes’ chances. The competition for forward and guard spots was exceptionally tight this year. While Barnes had a productive season, his impact did not outweigh the win totals of his peers. The Raptors must now evaluate how to elevate their roster to support their franchise player.
“The exclusion of Scottie Barnes is a wake-up call for the Raptors’ front office regarding the current talent gap in the Eastern Conference.” — Ryan Wolstat, Toronto Sun.
What does the absence of LeBron James signify for the league?
For the first time in decades, LeBron James did not receive an All-NBA nomination. This omission signals a definitive changing of the guard in professional basketball. Younger stars like Wembanyama and Cunningham are now the focal points of the league. The era of veteran dominance is slowly giving way to a new generation of versatile athletes.
This shift has massive implications for league marketing and international growth. With two Canadians on the All-NBA teams, the global reach of the sport continues to expand. The success of Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray provides a blueprint for international prospects. It proves that the path to NBA superstardom is increasingly diverse.
The 2026 All-NBA selections serve as a benchmark for individual excellence and team success. For players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it is a validation of years of consistent growth. For the Toronto Raptors, it provides clear motivation to improve their competitive standing. As the playoffs continue, these honoured athletes will look to prove their value on the game’s biggest stage.
