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Important update on 1476AMInternational NBA MVP looms for eighth straight season
Tim Reynolds, AAP • April 20th, 2026 2:48 pm
Victor Wembanyama | Photo: AP
Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be adding a couple more trophies to his collection. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama has a shot at doing the same.
And for the eighth consecutive year, the MVP will be an international one.
Gilgeous-Alexander — the reigning NBA MVP — is one of the finalists for this year's top individual honour, along with Denver's Nikola Jokic and the Spurs' Wembanyama, who is also a finalist for defensive player of the year.
The NBA's run of international MVPs started in 2019 and 2020 with Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is of Greek and Nigerian descent.
Jokic, a Serbian, won in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Philadelphia's Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon but since became a US citizen, won the award in 2023, and Canada's Gilgeous-Alexander won last year.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander netted 25 points to help eclipse the Suns | Photo: AP
Gilgeous-Alexander is also a finalist for Clutch Player of the Year this season.
The NBA announced the finalists for seven individual awards on Monday and will start announcing winners on Tuesday. The Defensive Player award — widely expected to be going to Wembanyama — comes out then.
NBA Award Finalists
MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; Nikola Jokic, Denver; Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio.
Defensive Player of the Year: Wembanyama; Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City; Ausar Thompson, Detroit.
Clutch Player: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Gilgeous-Alexander; Jamal Murray, Denver.
Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta; Deni Avdija, Portland; Jalen Duren, Detroit.
Sixth Man: Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver; Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami; Keldon Johnson, San Antonio.
Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit; Mitch Johnson, San Antonio; Joe Mazzulla, Boston.
Rookie of the Year: VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia; Cooper Flagg, Dallas; Kon Knueppel, Charlotte.
