Gobert, Wemby headline positionless All-Defensive teams
Minnesota Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert and countryman Victor Wembanyama were selected to the NBA's All-Defensive first team, the league announced Tuesday.
This year marks the first time that All-Defensive teams don't have position requirements.
2023-24 All-Defensive first team
| Player | Career All-Defensive selections |
|---|---|
| Rudy Gobert | 7 |
| Victor Wembanyama | 1 |
| Bam Adebayo | 4 |
| Herb Jones | 1 |
| Anthony Davis | 5 |
Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, returns to the first team after making it for six straight seasons from 2017-22. The Frenchman was the leading vote-getter, securing 99 first-team votes.
Wembanyama is the first rookie to ever be selected to the first team. Five other players - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Manute Bol, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan - all made the second team in their debut campaigns. The 20-year-old led the league in blocks per game (3.6).
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo earned a first-team selection for the first time in his career after making the second team for four straight seasons.
2023-24 All-Defensive second team
| Player | Career All-Defensive selections |
|---|---|
| Alex Caruso | 2 |
| Jalen Suggs | 1 |
| Derrick White | 2 |
| Jaden McDaniels | 1 |
| Jrue Holiday | 6 |
Meanwhile, a pair of players made the All-Defensive second team for the first time in their careers: Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs and Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.
The Boston Celtics had two players make the second team in Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. Holiday, the player with the most selections on the squad, made the first team last year as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder duo of Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, and Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen were among the players who received votes but weren't selected.