Wembanyama and Curry Lead PBWA’s Revived NBA All-Interview Team
The Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) has named its 2025-26 NBA All-Interview team, with Victor Wembanyama and Stephen Curry earning the top honors. Announced on April 13, 2026, the selection recognizes players who distinguish themselves through thoughtful, insightful, and engaging interactions with the media.
The award serves as a tribute to the athletes who go beyond the basic requirements of their media obligations to provide the depth and enthusiasm that help journalists craft more illuminating stories. Wembanyama, representing the San Antonio Spurs, and Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, finished as the top vote-getters in a poll of PBWA members.
The 2025-26 All-Interview Selections
The first team consists of five players recognized for their exceptional communication and accessibility. Joining Wembanyama and Curry on the top squad are Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics.
The PBWA also named a second team, highlighting a diverse group of standout communicators from across the league:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
- Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
- Josh Hart (New York Knicks)
A Return to Tradition
The NBA All-Interview team is not a new concept, but it had been absent from the league’s official awards slate for over two decades. The honor was discontinued after the 2003-04 season, leaving a long gap in the recognition of players who excel in the press room.
The PBWA revived the award in 2025 to celebrate the personalities that bring the game to life. According to PBWA president Howard Beck, the league is filled with “boundless talent and equally compelling personalities,” and the organization is grateful to those who place in the extra effort to make reporting more informative.
The Selection Process
The path to the All-Interview team involves a rigorous voting process conducted by the PBWA membership. For the 2025-26 season, several dozen players were nominated, which was then narrowed down to 28 finalists who made the official ballot.
To determine the final rankings, PBWA members cast votes based on a weighted point system: players received two points for every first-team vote and one point for every second-team vote. The finalists were evaluated based on the quality of their responses and their overall accessibility to the media throughout the season.
For a global audience, these interactions are often the primary way fans and international journalists connect with the human side of the NBA’s stars, bridging the gap between the action on the court and the personalities behind the jerseys.
Why Media Engagement Matters
While the NBA is defined by athletic performance, the “exercise” of the media interview is a critical component of the sport’s ecosystem. Players like Wembanyama and Curry are noted for providing insights that offer more than the standard clichés, allowing the stories of the season to have more texture and depth.
By honoring these players, the PBWA emphasizes that the ability to communicate effectively is a valuable skill that enhances the visibility and understanding of the game worldwide.
The PBWA will continue to monitor player engagement as the league moves forward. Fans and analysts can look for further updates on PBWA awards and member voting as the current season progresses.
