The worldwide leader in sports has released their annual ESPN NBA Rank list, a ranking of the Top 100 players for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. And the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder boast six players on the countdown. More impressively, every OKC member is ranked in the top 64 of the list. According to the panel comprised of over 150 reporters, editors, producers and analysts, the Thunder would have more players in a March Madness bracket than any other team.
Thunder Players in the 2025-2026 ESPN NBA Rank
#64. Lu Dort. The All-Defensive First Team selection has been an integral part of shaping the Thunder culture as we now know it. Obviously, Dort’s all-world lockdown skills are well known, but his three-point shooting has become a consistent weapon. Just ask the Denver Nuggets about that 4th quarter barrage in Game 5. ESPN calls Dort “an ideal 3-and-D role player to complement the Thunder's stars.”
#56. Isaiah Hartenstein. Oklahoma City’s biggest and most impactful free agent signing of all time. Hartenstein proved invaluable both in tandem with Chet Holmgren and also as the Thunder’s long starting big when Holmgren missed more than half the season with a hip fracture. ESPN: “Hartenstein gave the Thunder exactly what it hoped for in his first season with the team.”
#53. Alex Caruso. Sam Presti swapped Josh Giddey, a promising young player with a bright future, for Caruso. The Thunder likely don’t win the NBA Championship without that swap. Caruso’s defense, effort, energy, three-point shooting and calming veteran leadership shone brightest when the postseason lights were brightest. And we found out the 6’5” guard also happens to be the best Nikola Jokic defender on the planet. ESPN: “His impact on the Thunder during their championship run was undeniable.”
#24. Chet Holmgren. It’s remarkable to look back on Holmgren’s 2025-2026 season. In the opening 10 games, he looked destined to become an All-Star and possibly take home Defensive Player of the Year. Then, OKC's young defensive anchor incurred a devastating injury that was the first of its kind in NBA history. He beat all timeline expectations and came back sooner than anticipated. And while he was never fully recovered 100%, his pivotal impact on winning the title was clear. If Holmgren gets back to pre-injury form, this ranking may prove too low. ESPN: “He has proved himself as one of the most dominant defensive presences in the NBA.”
#11. Jalen Williams. All Star. All NBA. All Defense. Second leading scorer on an NBA championship team. All at only 24 years old. Williams made a bigger jump than any Thunder player on this list, flying up 33 spots from last year. Oh yeah and obligatory mention that the Thunder’s two-way phenom did all his work in the playoffs with a torn ligament in his shooting hand. ESPN: “Improved by leaps and bounds in each of his three NBA seasons, elevating to elite status in his third year.”
#2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I don’t have the required word count remaining to rattle off all of Gilgeous-Alexander's 2025 accolades. There’s only one question remaining when it comes to the reigning MVP: is he the best player in the world? If Gilgeous-Alexander wins another title this season, he may find himself one spot higher next year. ESPN: “It isn't hyperbole to declare that Gilgeous-Alexander's 2024-25 season ranks among the best individual campaigns in the history of the game.”