By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
European players feature prominently in the Professional Basketball Writers Association’s 2025-26 media honors, led by French sensation Victor Wembanyama, who earned the most votes to headline the All-Interview first team.
Wemby is joined by Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who secured a spot on the second team for his consistent engagement.
The PBWA shared additional details on Monday.
Per the press release: “Victor Wembanyama and Stephen Curry headline the 2025-26 NBA All-Interview team, which honors the players who are consistently thoughtful, insightful and engaging with the media, the Professional Basketball Writers Association announced today.
Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) and Curry (Golden State Warriors) were the top finishers in a vote of PBWA members and are joined on the All-Interview first team by Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics).
Making the All-Interview second team are Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Draymond Green (Warriors), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) and Josh Hart (New York Knicks).
The All-Interview team, once a staple of the NBA’s official slate of awards, was discontinued after the 2003-04 season. The PBWA revived it in 2025, as a way to recognize the players who consistently provide the insights, enthusiasm and depth that bring our stories to life, while meeting (or exceeding) their mandated media obligations.
“The NBA is a league of boundless talent and equally compelling personalities,” said PBWA president Howard Beck. “We’re grateful to the players who go the extra mile to make our stories more informative and illuminating.”
Several dozen players were nominated by PBWA members. Twenty-eight finalists made the official ballot, which was voted on by the entire membership. Players received two points for every first-team vote and one point for every second-team vote.
Others receiving votes were, in alphabetical order: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks), Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers), Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers), Desmond Bane (Orlando Magic), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Dillon Brooks (Phoenix Suns), Toumani Camara (Portland Trail Blazers), Max Christie (Dallas Mavericks), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks), Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets), Kristaps Porzingis (Golden State Warriors), Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers), Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Garrett Temple (Toronto Raptors).
In addition to the All-Interview team, the PBWA annually presents three awards to recognize those who do the most to help the media:
* The Magic Johnson Award, presented annually since 2000-01, honors the NBA player who best combines excellence on the court with cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans.
* The Rudy Tomjanovich Award, launched in 2010-11, honors an NBA head coach for his cooperation with the media and fans, as well as his excellence on the court.
* The Brian McIntyre Award, launched in 2006-07, is presented to the team media-relations staff that best exemplifies standards of professionalism and excellence.
The 2025-26 honorees will be announced this week.
The PBWA is composed of more than 200 writers and editors who regularly cover the NBA and the WNBA for newspapers, magazines and online news outlets.”