If you are new to the NBA, the quickest way to get hooked is to follow a handful of players rather than trying to learn all 30 teams at once. The 2025-26 season gave fans a strong mix of established superstars, young franchise leaders and rookies already shaping the league. For UK viewers, that creates an easy entry point: pick a few names, learn what makes them different, and let the rivalries and team stories build around them.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: the standard everyone is chasing
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the obvious starting point among the NBA stars of 2026. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard won his second straight MVP award after another elite regular season, combining efficient scoring with remarkable control in close games. He rarely looks rushed, using changes of speed, footwork and balance to create clean looks.
For a beginner, watch how often he gets defenders leaning the wrong way before he attacks. His game is built on precision rather than constant long-range shooting. Oklahoma City also remains one of the league’s defining teams, so following Gilgeous-Alexander takes you straight into the championship conversation.
Nikola Jokic: basketball that rewards close watching
Nikola Jokic remains one of the top NBA players because he can dominate without looking like a conventional superstar. The Denver Nuggets centre led the league in rebounds and assists during the 2025-26 regular season, an extraordinary combination for a big man. His passing is the easiest part of his game to appreciate: he sees cuts and openings before most defenders do.
Try watching one Denver possession without following the ball. Notice teammates moving around Jokic and how his positioning creates the next pass. It is a simple way to understand how NBA offences work.
Victor Wembanyama: the league’s most unusual matchup
Victor Wembanyama has already moved from exciting prospect to genuine superstar. The San Antonio Spurs centre won Defensive Player of the Year in 2025-26 and helped carry his team to the NBA Finals. His height, mobility, shot-blocking and perimeter skill make him one of the league’s most unusual players.
Watch what happens before opponents even shoot. Drivers often change direction because Wembanyama is nearby. At the other end, he can score inside, shoot from distance or attack slower defenders. That two-way impact makes him one of the essential NBA superstars to follow.
Luka Doncic: elite scoring with a Lakers spotlight
Luka Doncic offers a different kind of star power. With the Los Angeles Lakers, he led the NBA in scoring in 2025-26 at 33.5 points per game and earned All-NBA First Team honours. Doncic plays at his own speed, forcing defenders to choose between giving him a shot, allowing a drive or opening a passing lane.
The Lakers are also one of the easiest franchises for new UK fans to encounter through highlights and mainstream coverage, making Doncic a natural gateway into the wider league.
Jalen Brunson: the champion with a closer’s mentality
Jalen Brunson became impossible to overlook after leading the New York Knicks to the 2026 NBA title and winning Finals MVP. He is not the tallest or most explosive guard, but his strength, footwork and composure make him devastating in high-pressure possessions.
Brunson is especially fun to watch late in close games. Notice how he creates space with pivots, shoulder movement and changes of direction rather than relying only on speed. His style shows how many different forms elite NBA scoring can take.
Anthony Edwards: power, personality and big-game appeal
Anthony Edwards remains one of the league’s most entertaining guards. The Minnesota Timberwolves star combines explosive drives with confident perimeter shooting, and his personality makes him easy for casual fans to recognise. He was named MVP of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, adding another high-profile moment to his rise.
Edwards is a good choice if you enjoy players who can change a game in a few possessions with a huge finish, a difficult three-pointer or an aggressive defensive play.
Cooper Flagg: the rising star worth learning now
Among the rising NBA stars, Cooper Flagg is the name newer fans should learn immediately. The Dallas Mavericks forward won Rookie of the Year after averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He also became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game.
Flagg contributes across several areas instead of depending on one signature skill. That makes his second season one of the clearest development stories to follow. If you enjoy seeing a young player grow into a franchise cornerstone, he is an ideal choice.
Cade Cunningham: a franchise leader entering the spotlight
Cade Cunningham pushed himself into the league’s top tier by earning All-NBA First Team honours in 2025-26. The Detroit Pistons guard combines size, passing and scoring, while much of the offence runs through his decisions. Following Cunningham also gives you a team-building storyline: how far can a young Pistons core go as expectations rise?
A simple way for UK fans to follow these players
You do not need to stay awake for every live game. Choose two or three players and check their next-day highlights, box scores and major matchups. Following Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama and Brunson, for example, gives you three distinct styles plus immediate links to MVP, Finals and title storylines. From there, an NBA teams guide, an explanation of how the NBA playoffs work and an NBA beginner’s guide can fill in the gaps naturally.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best NBA player to watch in 2026?
There is no single correct answer, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the strongest starting point after winning back-to-back MVP awards. Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama are equally compelling if you prefer passing brilliance or two-way dominance.
Which young NBA player should beginners follow?
Cooper Flagg is one of the clearest choices after winning Rookie of the Year, while Victor Wembanyama is still young enough to represent the league’s next generation despite already reaching superstar status.
Which NBA player is easiest for a new fan to enjoy?
Anthony Edwards is a great entry point because his athleticism and scoring are immediately visible. Jalen Brunson is another strong choice if you enjoy close games and clutch shot-making.
Do UK fans need to watch games live?
No. Because many NBA games take place overnight in the UK, highlights, condensed games and weekend viewing can be a more realistic way to follow the league consistently.
Start with the players, then let the league open up
The best NBA players to watch in 2026 are compelling for different reasons. Gilgeous-Alexander brings MVP-level control, Jokic turns passing into an art form, Wembanyama changes the court at both ends, Doncic produces huge scoring nights, Brunson brings championship credibility, Edwards delivers pure entertainment, and players such as Flagg and Cunningham represent the next wave. Pick the styles that appeal to you, follow a few key matchups, and the wider NBA landscape will become familiar much faster than trying to memorise everything at once.
