Every year, The Athletic surveys a number of NBA players in their annual player poll. This year’s results were released on Wednesday, with Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun being voted as the league’s most overrated player.
The most overrated section of our annual player poll has emerged as the most controversial.
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Thoughts on Alperen Şengün coming in at No. 1? pic.twitter.com/OEnG25cbAP
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 6, 2026
While only 81 players casted a vote for this question in the voluntary poll, Sengun received 10 of those votes. It’s not certain why Sengun is viewed this way by his peers, but one anonymous player spoke to The Athletic about his view on Sengun.
“He’s crying every play. He’s talented, but, dude, just play hard,” the player said.
On the other end, Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White tied with 4% of the votes for the most underrated player in the NBA.
When it came to the league’s best defender, Victor Wembanyama received the most votes by a wide margin. 41.1% of votes were cast in his name while Kris Dunn and Kawhi Leonard were tied for second place with 4.6% of votes.
The list of questions, winners and runners-up can be found below.
Who is the league’s most underrated player? (151 votes cast)
Winner (tie): Jalen Johnson, Derrick White
Runner-up (tie): Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Payton Pritchard, Austin Reaves
Who is the league’s most overrated player? (81 votes cast)
Winner: Alperen Sengun
Runner-up (tie): Rudy Gobert, Trae Young
Which current coach, aside from your own, do you find the most impressive? (146 votes cast)
Winner: Joe Mazzulla
Runner-up: Mark Daigneault
Which current coach, aside from your own, do you find the least impressive? (100 votes cast)
Winner: Brian Keefe
Runner-up: Doc Rivers
Who is the league’s best defensive player? (151 votes cast)
Winner: Victor Wembanyama
Runner-up (tie): Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
