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NBA Players Rank Referees: Who Made the Cut?
14 May
Summary
- Players surveyed 411 referees on a 1-5 scale for playoff assignments.
- Zach Zarba ranked #1 overall, the only official rated by all teams.
- No female referees reached Tier 1 in the player-voted rankings.
For the first time, the NBA Players Association has publicly shared its findings from a survey of 411 players regarding the league's 73 referees. This data will influence official assignments for the 2026 playoffs and NBA Finals. Players rated each official on a 1-5 scale, categorizing them into 'Elite & Top Performers' (Tier 1), 'Solid Performers' (Tier 2), and 'Need Improvement' (Tier 3).
Zach Zarba received the highest ranking, uniquely rated in the top 12 by players from every team. Other Tier 1 officials include Tony Brothers and Kevin Cutler. Scott Foster, a polarizing figure, landed in Tier 2.
Ashley Moyer-Gleich and Sha'Rae Mitchell were highlighted among the women referees for their improvement, also placing in Tier 2. No female official reached the top tier based on player feedback. John Goble was among the 20 referees in Tier 3, drawing criticism from players like LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Player feedback emphasized that consistent officiating and good communication are key, even when mistakes occur. The NBPA's goal is to ensure only Tier 1 officials are assigned to NBA Finals games.
