Detroit — Ausar Thompson’s defensive production has led to what could be considered the greatest individual accomplishment of his three-year career.
The NBA announced on Friday that the Detroit Pistons’ forward was named one of five players to be voted to the league’s All-Defensive First Team for the 2025-26 season. Thompson also becomes the first Pistons player to receive All-Defensive First Team since Ben Wallace achieved the feat in 2006.
Thompson is joined on the first team alongside Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) and Derrick White (Boston Celtics). Wembanyama won his first career Defensive Player of the Year award for the season. He finished first ahead of Holmgren and Thompson, who finished second and third, respectively.
Thompson’s career season earned him Defensive Player of the Month honors in January and March. In 73 games, He led the league in steals, averaging 2.0 per game. He also ranked second in total steals with 146. Thompson also recorded a total of 69 blocks amid an average of 1.0 rejections per game.
“His reflexes and anticipation skills are great, especially for somebody whose size matches their athletic ability,” Tobias Harris said in March. “What he is capable of doing, recovering on plays, is huge for us. What he presents out there, especially when he is really focused on the task, he is a game-changer for us on the defensive end.”The All-Defensive Second Team includes Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), OG Anunoby (New York Knicks), Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks) and Cason Wallace (Oklahoma City Thunder).
Coty.Davis@detroitnews.com
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons’ Ausar Thompson named All-Defensive First Team: ‘He is a game-changer’
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
