Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and Nikola Jokić have been officially named the three finalists for this season's National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award. Their selection continues a remarkable streak in which the league's top honor has been claimed by an international player for eight straight seasons, underscoring the global nature of modern basketball. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, the dynamic guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, entered the campaign as the defending MVP after capturing the accolade last year.
He now finds himself in contention for a rare back‑to‑back MVP run, a feat achieved by only a handful of players in NBA history. Gilgeous‑Alexander's all‑around game—combining scoring efficiency, playmaking, defensive tenacity, and leadership—has propelled the Thunder to a competitive standing in the Western Conference, reinforcing his case for repeat recognition. Nikola Jokić, the Serbian center of the Denver Nuggets, is chasing an unprecedented fourth MVP trophy.
Jokić previously secured the award in 2021, 2022 and again in 2024, cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile big men ever to play the game. His unique skill set—court vision, passing precision, scoring versatility, and rebounding dominance—makes him a perpetual threat on both ends of the floor. The Nuggets' sustained success, highlighted by deep playoff runs and consistent regular‑season performance, adds weight to Jokić's bid for another historic honor.
The youngest of the trio, Victor Wembanyama, represents the next generation of global talent. The 7‑foot‑4 French prodigy, who also earned a nomination for Defensive Player of the Year, is making a compelling case for his inaugural MVP award. Wembanyama's impact was on full display during his playoff debut, where he poured in 35 points, establishing a new San Antonio Spurs franchise record for most points in a player's first postseason game.
His performance helped the Spurs defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 111‑98 in Game 1, signaling that his presence can shift the momentum of high‑stakes contests. The NBA's streak of international MVPs began in 2019 when Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo—born in Greece to Nigerian parents—captured the honor.
He repeated the feat in 2020, solidifying the league's shift toward a more worldwide talent pool. Following Giannis, Serbian center Nikola Jokić won the award in 2021 and 2022, while the 2023 MVP went to Philadelphia's Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon and later naturalized as a U.S. citizen.
Canada’s Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander claimed the trophy in 2024, and now the 2025 shortlist features a blend of European, African and North American roots, reflecting basketball's truly international reach. Beyond the individual accolades, the MVP race fuels broader conversations about the evolution of the game. The rise of players like Wembanyama illustrates how size and skill can coexist; his rare combination of length, shooting range, and defensive mobility challenges traditional positional definitions.
Meanwhile, Jokić's continued dominance as a point‑center highlights the increasing importance of playmaking from the post, while Gilgeous‑Alexander's balanced offensive and defensive contributions exemplify the modern two‑way guard. Fans and analysts alike are closely watching the remaining regular‑season games, as each candidate seeks to solidify his résumé. Statistical milestones—such as points per game, efficiency ratings, win‑shares, and impact on team success—will be scrutinized by the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who ultimately cast the votes.
Historical precedent suggests that narrative also plays a role; a player who leads his team deep into the playoffs or overcomes adversity often gains an edge. The MVP announcement is slated for the NBA Awards ceremony, a star‑studded event that also honors the Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and other prestigious categories. While the ceremony will be broadcast on major networks and streamed online, fans can also follow live coverage via Sky Sports, which provides comprehensive game highlights, analysis, and exclusive interviews throughout the season. Sky Sports' coverage extends to the upcoming 2026 NBA playoffs, featuring matchups such as the Toronto Raptors versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, scheduled to air on Sky Sports+ starting at 11 p.m.
on Monday. In summary, the three finalists—Wembanyama, Gilgeous‑Alexander, and Jokić—represent a diverse cross‑section of the NBA's global talent base. Whether the league crowns the seasoned Serbian veteran for a record‑tying fourth MVP, rewards the Thunder's rising star with a historic repeat, or embraces the youthful French phenom as the next face of the NBA, the outcome will further illustrate the sport's international evolution and the ever‑expanding definition of excellence on the basketball court.