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 the eighth year in a row the league’s top honor will be claimed by a player born outside the United States. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, the guard from Oklahoma City who captured the MVP trophy in the previous campaign, is now in the running to become the first back‑to‑back winner among the current crop of international stars.
Nikola Jokić, the Serbian center who has dominated the league in recent years, is seeking a fourth MVP title, having already secured the award in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Meanwhile, the 21‑year‑old French phenom Victor Wembanyama, who also appears on the shortlist for Defensive Player of the Year, is hoping to add the league's most prestigious individual accolade to his rapidly growing résumé. The trend of non‑American MVPs began in 2019 when Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player of Greek and Nigerian heritage, captured the award and repeated the feat the following season.
After Giannis, the mantle passed to Serbian big man Nikola Jokić in 2021 and 2022, then to Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid—originally from Cameroon but now a naturalized U.S. citizen—who won in 2023. The most recent MVP before this year’s finalists was Canada’s Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, who took home the honor in 2023, reinforcing the global nature of the modern NBA. Wembanyama’s rise has been meteoric.
In his first postseason appearance, the 7‑foot‑4 forward put on a historic performance, dropping 35 points on Sunday night. His scoring outburst set a new franchise record for the San Antonio Spurs, marking the highest point total ever recorded by a player in a playoff debut for the organization. The Spurs secured a 111‑98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1, with Wembanyball’s dominant inside‑out game drawing attention from analysts and fans worldwide.
The MVP race this year is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and internationally diverse in NBA history. Each finalist brings a distinct style and narrative to the table. Gilgeous‑Alexander is celebrated for his all‑around playmaking, defensive intensity, and leadership of a young OKC roster that consistently punches above its weight. Jokić, known affectionately as “The Joker,” combines elite passing, scoring efficiency, and rebounding prowess, redefining what a traditional center can do in a pace‑and‑space era.
Wembanyama, still early in his career, offers a rare blend of size, agility, shooting range, and shot‑blocking ability that makes him a generational talent on both ends of the floor. Beyond the individual accolades, the continued presence of international players at the summit of the NBA underscores the league’s expanding global footprint. From European power forwards to African-born stars, the NBA’s talent pipeline now stretches across continents, and the MVP award serves as a visible testament to that evolution.
The next few weeks will see media members, coaches and fellow players cast their votes, with the final decision expected during the league’s awards ceremony in early June. For fans eager to follow the drama, the NBA’s live coverage is available on Sky Sports, which will broadcast the remaining playoff games and the award ceremony. Highlights, full‑game replays and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content can be streamed through Sky Sports+ and other partner platforms. The 2026 NBA playoffs will continue to showcase high‑stakes competition, including a matchup between the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers scheduled to air on Monday night at 11 p.m.
local time. In summary, the MVP shortlist features a French rookie with a record‑breaking playoff debut, a Serbian veteran chasing a historic fourth title, and a Canadian guard aiming to become the first player to repeat the honor in this era of international dominance.
Their differing journeys and skill sets make the final vote a compelling story for basketball enthusiasts around the world, and the outcome will further cement the NBA’s reputation as a truly global showcase of elite athletic talent.