The first round of fan voting for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is in, and once again, the Kentucky Wildcats' NBA pipeline is making its presence felt in a big way. Six former ‘Cats cracked the top 40 vote-getters - four from the Western Conference, two from the East - and one name in particular is turning heads at the top of the leaderboard.
Let’s break it down.
Eastern Conference: Maxey Makes a Statement
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey isn’t just on the list - he’s near the very top. Maxey currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with 1,072,449 fan votes, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That’s not just impressive - that’s elite territory. He’s ahead of a laundry list of marquee names, including Steph Curry, Jalen Brunson, and even reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Maxey’s rise has been fueled by more than just charisma - though he’s widely regarded as one of the league’s most likable personalities. He’s also putting up All-NBA-caliber numbers: 30.7 points, 6.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, while leading the league in minutes at 39.7 per night. That’s the kind of workload and production you typically see from MVP candidates, not just fan favorites.
Also representing the East is Karl-Anthony Towns, who checks in at No. 7 with 510,577 votes. Towns might not be putting up the same monster numbers he did during his All-NBA campaign last season, but he’s still a force for a 22-9 Knicks team that’s currently second in the conference. His efficiency and leadership have been key to New York’s surge, and he’s well on track for another All-Star nod.
Western Conference: SGA Leads the Kentucky Pack
Over in the West, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is holding down the No. 4 spot with 878,621 votes. That may seem low considering his MVP-level play, but it’s still a strong showing - and he remains the top vote-getter among Kentucky alums out West.
SGA continues to drive the engine for the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who are once again among the league’s elite. He’s neck-and-neck with Nikola Jokic in the MVP race, and his steady brilliance has become routine at this point.
Joining him in the Western Conference top 20 are Anthony Davis (No. 13, 144,178 votes), Jamal Murray (No. 14, 130,656 votes), and Devin Booker (No. 15, 121,123 votes).
Davis, now with the Dallas Mavericks, has been effective when he’s played - but availability has been the issue. He’s suited up in just 16 of the team’s 33 games so far, and unless he strings together a dominant January, it’s tough to see him getting the player and media support needed to secure a starting spot.
Jamal Murray, on the other hand, is having a career year. He’s averaging a personal-best 25.4 points per game for a strong Denver Nuggets squad, and his offensive efficiency has taken a noticeable step forward. If he keeps this up, he’s got a real shot to make the All-Star roster.
As for Devin Booker, he’s quietly steering the Phoenix Suns through a surprisingly strong start. His leadership and shot-making continue to be the foundation of Phoenix’s success, and while his vote total isn’t eye-popping yet, don’t be surprised if he climbs the ranks in the next update.
What’s Next?
The All-Star voting process remains a three-pronged system: fans account for 50%, while NBA players and media each make up 25%. The next voting update drops on January 6, and with special voting days like the upcoming “3-for-1” day on December 30 - where each fan vote counts triple - there’s still plenty of room for movement.
This year’s All-Star format is shaking things up, too. Instead of the traditional East vs.
West or team captain format, the 2026 game will feature two U.S. teams and one international squad in a round-robin tournament. Each team will play two 12-minute games, adding a fresh twist to the midseason showcase.
Final Take
Kentucky’s NBA legacy continues to be one of the most dominant pipelines in the sport. From rising stars like Maxey to established names like SGA, Booker, and Davis, the Wildcats are once again front and center on basketball’s biggest stage. And with more updates to come, don’t be surprised if a few more former ‘Cats sneak into the mix before the final rosters are set.
The votes are rolling in - and Big Blue Nation is making sure their guys are heard.