Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are the finalists for this year's NBA most valuable player award. Oklahoma City's Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, is in the running to go back-to-back while Jokic is looking to win the award for the fourth time. Wembanyama, also nominated for defensive player of the year, is hoping for his first MVP.

This marks the eighth consecutive year an international player will claim the NBA's top individual honor. The streak began with Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2019-2020, followed by Jokic's three wins in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Philadelphia's Joel Embiid, born in Cameroon, won in 2023 before Gilgeous-Alexander claimed the trophy last season.

Young star Wembanyama made his playoff debut this season, scoring 35 points to set a San Antonio franchise record for most points in a playoff debut as the Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 in game one. The 20-year-old French center's inclusion among the finalists highlights his meteoric rise and the changing landscape of NBA talent.