CBS Sports has ranked Victor Wembanyama as the NBA's No. 1 player entering the 2026-27 season, ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić. The list was drawn up by six analysts and reflects expected performance next season.
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01Summary
- 01Six CBS Sports analysts — Brad Botkin, John Gonzalez, Robby Kaland, Jack Maloney, Sam Quinn and Cameron Salerno — submitted ballots for the annual top 100 list.
- 02The rankings are based on how players are expected to perform in the 2026-27 season, with injuries taken into account.
- 03Players returning from long absences, including Kyrie Irving and Tyrese Haliburton, were considered with injury context.
- 04Players expected to miss time at the start of the season, including Jimmy Butler, were also factored into the ranking.
02Why it matters
The list shows how the NBA's balance of power is being judged ahead of the new season, with Wembanyama now viewed as the league's leading player. It also underlines how injuries and depth across a roster matter as much as star names when teams chase titles.
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