Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and Nikola Jokić have been officially named the three finalists for this season's NBA Most Valuable Player award. Their selection continues a remarkable streak: for eight straight years the league’s top honor has gone to a player born outside the United States. The trio represents three very different paths to elite status. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, the point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, entered the season as the defending MVP and now has a chance to become the first player in recent memory to capture the award in back‑to‑back years.
Nikola Jokić, the Serbian center who anchors the Denver Nuggets, is chasing a historic fourth MVP trophy, having already secured the honor in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Meanwhile, the teenage phenom Victor Wembanyama, the 7‑foot‑4 French forward for the San Antonio Spurs, is a first‑time nominee who also appears on the shortlist for Defensive Player of the Year, underscoring his impact on both ends of the floor.
The international dominance of the MVP award began in 2019 when Giannis Antetokounmpo, a Greek‑Nigerian star, captured the accolade for the Milwaukee Bucks. He repeated the feat in 2020, cementing a new era in which the league’s most valuable player is no longer expected to be an American‑born athlete. After Giannis, the trophy passed to Serbia’s Jokić in 2021 and 2022, then to Joel Embiid in 2023 – a Cameroon‑born center who later became a U.S.
citizen while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. Canada’s Gilgeous‑Alexander added his name to the list in 2024, and now the 2025 race is set to feature three more global representatives. Wembanyama’s candidacy is especially compelling given his rapid ascent.
The 19‑year‑old made his playoff debut this spring and immediately announced himself as a force to be reckoned with, dropping 35 points in the Spurs’ opening victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. His 35‑point outburst set a new franchise record for the most points scored by a player in his first postseason game, eclipsing previous Spurs legends and highlighting his scoring versatility, rim protection, and ability to stretch the floor.
Beyond the raw numbers, Wembanyama’s presence has altered defensive schemes league‑wide; opponents are forced to double‑team him, opening lanes for teammates and reshaping the Spurs’ offensive rhythm. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, on the other hand, has built his MVP case on consistency and leadership.
Throughout the regular season, he posted averages near 31 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists per game while guiding a young Thunder roster to a top‑four finish in the Western Conference. His ability to dominate in clutch moments, coupled with a defensive rating that ranks among the league’s best for guards, makes him a well‑rounded candidate.
Should he repeat as MVP, Gilgeous‑Alexander would join an exclusive club of players who have won the award in consecutive seasons, a feat not accomplished since Stephen Curry’s back‑to‑back wins in 2015‑16. Jokić’s pursuit of a fourth MVP is a narrative of sustained excellence. The Denver Nuggets’ star continues to post triple‑double averages, blending scoring efficiency, elite passing, and rebounding prowess. His basketball IQ and unselfish play have turned Denver into a perennial contender, and his impact extends beyond the stat sheet; teammates frequently cite his calming presence and on‑court vision as catalysts for the team’s success.
If he secures his fourth MVP, Jokić will tie Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar’s record for the most MVP awards in NBA history, a milestone that would solidify his legacy as one of the greatest centers the game has ever seen. The MVP race also reflects broader trends in the NBA’s globalization. International scouting has become a cornerstone of team strategy, with franchises investing heavily in overseas talent pipelines.
The success of players like Wembanyama, Gilgeous‑Alexander and Jokić encourages younger prospects worldwide to view the NBA as an attainable destination, while also prompting teams to allocate more resources toward cultural integration and language support for foreign players. Fans eager to follow the unfolding drama can tune in to live broadcasts on Sky Sports, which will continue to carry NBA games throughout the postseason. The network’s coverage includes the upcoming 2026 NBA playoffs, beginning with the Toronto Raptors hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sky Sports+ at 11 p.m.
on Monday. In addition to live game action, Sky Sports offers highlights, analysis, and exclusive video content for viewers who want to stay up‑to‑date on the league’s biggest stories. As the voting deadline approaches, analysts will weigh each finalist’s statistical achievements, team success, and narrative appeal. While the final decision rests with a panel of sports journalists and broadcasters, the three candidates have already demonstrated that talent knows no borders.
Whether the award ultimately goes to the seasoned Serbian big man, the Canadian guard looking to repeat, or the French prodigy aiming for his inaugural MVP, the 2025 season will be remembered as another chapter in the NBA’s increasingly international era.