ESPN Ranked Victor Wembanyama Number Two
The San Antonio Spurs star earned the second spot in the annual NBA rankings for the 2026-27 season.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Basketball
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ESPN placed Victor Wembanyama at number two in its annual list of top NBA players, trailing only Nikola Jokic. The rankings were determined by a panel of seven writers based on projected performance for the upcoming 2026-27 regular season.
Why it matters
The high ranking reflects Wembanyama's status as a top-tier defensive force after his standout 2025-26 season. His development remains a central storyline as he pursues his first league MVP award during his fourth year in the NBA.
Wembanyama ranked 2nd in the league projections, while other Spurs players appeared on the list including Stephon Castle at 38 and Dylan Harper at 50. During the 2025-26 campaign, Wembanyama led the NBA in blocks.
The players
Victor Wembanyama
He is a standout center for the San Antonio Spurs who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2026.
Nikola Jokic
He is a multi-time league MVP and perennial top-ranked center in the NBA.
Stephon Castle
He is a rising member of the San Antonio Spurs rotation who earned the 38th spot in the latest rankings.
The details
Wembanyama comes off a 2025-26 season where he secured the Defensive Player of the Year award and first-team All-NBA honors. His team, the San Antonio Spurs, reached the NBA Finals in June 2026 before losing to the New York Knicks.
Timeline
The San Antonio Spurs competed in the NBA Finals in June 2026.
ESPN released the bottom half of its rankings on September 22, 2026.
The list of players ranked 50 through 11 arrived on September 23, 2026.
The top 10 rankings were finalized and released on September 24, 2026.
Season Trajectory
These rankings set the expectations for the competitive landscape following the 2026 NBA Finals. They signal a shift in the league hierarchy as young stars like Wembanyama increasingly challenge established veterans for top honors.
Wembanyama's high ranking marks him as a primary target for defensive schemes and fantasy basketball builds entering the 2026-27 season. His consistent output in blocked shots and rebounds makes him a high-floor selection for fantasy managers across the league.
The takeaway
Wembanyama's trajectory suggests he has moved from a prospect to a foundational pillar of the modern NBA. Fans should monitor his development throughout the 2026-27 season as he attempts to secure his first league MVP award.
Further reading
For more on the latest league trends, visit the Basketball section.
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