The NBA Players Association has dropped its annual referee report card, and the results might surprise you. According to the NBPA's 2025-26 Referee Player Survey, the most popular official in the league isn't the infamous Scott Foster—it's Zach Zarba. That's right, the man in the middle who players actually want to see calling their games.

The survey, which collected responses from 411 players across all 30 teams, graded every referee on a scale of 1 to 5. The findings were shared with the NBA league office back in March and now serve as the official player recommendations for referee assignments during the 2026 playoffs. Think of it as a draft board, but for the striped shirts.

The NBPA split the 73 officials into three tiers, with a clear directive: only Tier 1 and Tier 2 refs should work the postseason, and only the top-tier officials should handle the NBA Finals. It's a system designed to put the best of the best on the biggest stage, and the players have made their preferences known.

At the top of the list, the Tier 1 group reads like a who's who of respected referees. Alongside Zarba, you'll find familiar names like Tony Brothers, James Capers, Marc Davis, and Bill Kennedy. These 26 officials are the cream of the crop in the eyes of the players, the ones who command respect and keep the game flowing.

The Tier 2 group includes 27 officials, and yes, Scott Foster is here—not in the bottom tier, but not at the top either. Foster, who has long been a polarizing figure among fans and players alike, lands in the middle of the pack. Other notable names in this group include David Guthrie, Kevin Scott, and Ben Taylor. It's a solid second string, but not quite the elite status of Tier 1.

Then there's the Tier 3 group, which consists of 20 officials. These are the refs the players would rather not see in high-stakes games. Names like John Goble, Che Flores, and Rodney Mott are in this category, along with a mix of newer and less-experienced officials. It's a clear message from the players: these are the ones who need more seasoning before they're trusted with playoff pressure.

For basketball fans, this survey offers a rare peek behind the curtain. In a sport where officials are often the target of frustration, it's fascinating to see which refs earn the players' trust and which ones don't. And for those of us who love the game, it's a reminder that even the most controversial figures have their place—just maybe not in the Finals.