🌍 The NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award has increasingly become a stage for international talent, and this exciting trend is set to continue strong into the 2025-26 season. For years, the discussion around who will win MVP has been dominated by a remarkable lineup of players from across the globe. In fact, the last American player to win the award was James Harden in 2018. Since then, international stars have consistently claimed the trophy and occupied the top spots in voting. For instance, in the most recent season, the top three vote-getters were all international players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. This shows a clear pattern of global dominance, and with many of these contenders still in their prime, the 2025-26 MVP race promises to be thrilling. Here’s a look at five international players who have the best chance to win the Kia MVP award in the upcoming season.
💪 Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Enduring Force (Greece, Milwaukee Bucks)
Giannis Antetokounmpo made history by winning two MVPs before turning 26, a feat only matched by legends LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He has remained a strong contender for the award ever since his second win in 2020. There’s no doubt he would have more MVP trophies if not for Nikola Jokić’s incredible run. His consistent presence in the MVP conversation is clear: few players can match his impact on both offense and defense, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Over his recent seasons (excluding MVP wins), Antetokounmpo has consistently delivered elite numbers, averaging over 30 points, 11 rebounds, and a block per game.
However, a potential challenge for Antetokounmpo in the 2025-26 season might be his team’s overall strength. Since their 2021 championship, the Bucks have struggled to provide him with consistent top-tier support. Key players like Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez have aged, promising young talent hasn’t emerged from drafts, and the trade that brought Damian Lillard (who was later waived) didn’t quite work out. For Antetokounmpo to lead the Bucks to a top seed in the Eastern Conference and truly contend for another MVP, he might need stronger assistance around him.
🪄 Luka Dončić: Ready to Claim His Crown (Slovenia, Los Angeles Lakers)
Among all the players who haven’t yet won an MVP, Luka Dončić seems most likely to capture the trophy, and possibly multiple, before his career ends. With improved fitness and full leadership of the Lakers—it’s truly his team now, even with LeBron James—Dončić is in a prime position for a standout 2025-26 season. He is one of the rare players capable of averaging a triple-double, which alone makes him a formidable candidate. If he achieves this while also leading the league in scoring or assists and guiding the Lakers to around 50 wins, it would be incredibly difficult for any other player to surpass him.
If Dončić puts himself squarely in the MVP discussion—he finished third in voting just two seasons ago—he might even gain an edge with some voters. They might feel it’s “his turn” if the race becomes particularly close. By prioritizing his physical conditioning, Dončić clearly recognizes that his moment has arrived.
⚡ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Reigning Champion’s Quest (Canada, Oklahoma City Thunder)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently on an incredible run. He just collected the Kia MVP award for the 2024-25 season and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA title. The game seems to come effortlessly to him right now. He will definitely be a strong part of the MVP discussion if he continues to be among the league’s top scorers and maintains his valuable contributions on defense. Crucially, his team’s performance, which was a significant factor in his recent MVP win, will once again play a major role. Given that the Thunder remain a young and formidable team, Gilgeous-Alexander might have an advantage over many other candidates.
Winning back-to-back MVP awards can be tricky, as players are often judged against their previous season’s incredible achievements. It’s tough to imagine Gilgeous-Alexander topping his 2024-25 season, but if he comes close to that level of play, he will undoubtedly build a very strong case for a repeat MVP win.
🃏 Nikola Jokić: Chasing More History (Serbia, Denver Nuggets)
Nikola Jokić has made history by being a top-two MVP finisher for the last five consecutive years, and he already boasts three career MVPs. What’s even more remarkable is the possibility that his best basketball is still ahead of him. We are truly witnessing a legendary stretch in his career. Jokić possesses all the necessary qualities for a fourth MVP award. After some offseason adjustments, the Nuggets are well-prepared for another season with 50 or more wins and are strong contenders for a top-two seed in their conference. Jokić remains at the peak of his game; in a recent season, he ranked among the league’s best, placing third in scoring (29.6 ppg) and rebounding (12.7 rpg), and second in assists (10.2 apg) and steals (1.8 spg).
The only potential challenge he faces might be “voter fatigue,” where voters might look for a new face after his consistent dominance. However, his strong runner-up finishes could also earn him some voter sympathy. Regardless, it would be a major surprise if “The Joker” isn’t a central figure in the MVP conversation once again.
👽 Victor Wembanyama: The Future is Now (France, San Antonio Spurs)
Is it too soon to include Victor Wembanyama in the MVP conversation? Perhaps, but only slightly. Everyone in the league knows that once the Spurs become a serious contender, “Wemby” will be a constant presence in MVP discussions. It’s simply a matter of when, not if. He already seems set to win multiple Kia Defensive Player of the Year awards, regardless of where the Spurs finish in the standings; he likely would have won the award in a recent season if he had met the minimum 65-game requirement.
Wembanyama is already a significant defensive force, which greatly boosts his MVP chances, and his offensive game is developing rapidly. He is well-equipped to average around 25 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, along with a handful of assists and steals. When combined with team success and winning games, that statistical profile creates a powerful formula for an MVP candidate.
