Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson named First-Team All-Defense, first player honored since Ben Wallace

DETROIT – Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson has been named to the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team, becoming the first Pistons player to earn the honor in 20 years.

The NBA announced the team on Friday (May 22).

Thompson joins Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, and Derrick White of the Boston Celtics on the first team.

Thompson, 23, is the first Pistons player since Hall of Famer Ben Wallace in 2006 to receive first-team All-Defensive honors.

Wallace earned first-team All-Defense recognition from 2002-06, helping lead Detroit’s “Goin’ to Work” era to six straight Eastern Conference finals appearances and the 2004 NBA championship.

Other Pistons legends to earn multiple All-Defensive selections include Hall of Fame guard Joe Dumars, who made the team four times, and Hall of Fame forward Dennis Rodman, who earned the honor five times.

Thompson is also the first Pistons player since Tayshaun Prince in 2008 to receive any All-Defensive recognition.

Thompson anchors Detroit’s historic season

During the 2025-26 season, Thompson averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, helping Detroit secure the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with 60 wins.

The Pistons advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Thompson led the NBA with two steals and one block per game while averaging approximately 26 minutes per contest.

He also earned Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month honors twice and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Holmgren and Wembanyama, who won the award.