The NBA‘s Most Valuable Player Award has become a global passport, and the stamp of excellence no longer belongs exclusively to American-born players. An international player has taken home NBA MVP honors in the past seven seasons. Nikola Jokić (2020, 2021, 2023) has won three times, Giannis Antetokounmpo (2018 and 2019) has two, and Joel Embiid (2022) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2024) have won one each.
This global surge isn’t a fluke, either. It’s a reminder of how basketball has evolved into a worldwide game, and the NBA has leaned into that. With that being said, who will be the next American-born NBA MVP? Here are seven players who could potentially end the international streak.
Top Candidates to be the Next American-Born NBA MVP
While the Canadian-born Gilgeous-Alexander already took home the honors for the 2024-2025 NBA season, the recent wave of young talent from the USA was well-represented in the lower half of the voting. With some of their careers just getting started, let’s look at why these players could end the rest of the world’s stranglehold on the MVP trophy.
MVP voting results 👀 pic.twitter.com/P2jgDnxTJo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards has all the makings of an NBA superstar. The Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star boasts elite two-way skills, athleticism, and significant potential. Off the court, his engaging personality has produced many viral moments.
During the 2024-25 regular season, Edwards averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. While his overall field goal percentage dipped, he improved his three-point shooting to a career-high 39.5%, up from 35.7% the previous season. He ranked fourth in scoring, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić, and led the NBA with 320 made three-pointers.
His demeanor sets Edwards apart from many other players in today’s game. At just 23, he plays with an unwavering confidence and the poise of a seasoned veteran. He’ll never back down from a challenge and can talk trash with the best of them.
The Timberwolves are in win-now mode, and their success largely depends on Edwards. As he continues to develop as a playmaker, an MVP award could be awarded.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum achieved a career-best fourth-place finish in this season’s MVP voting. However, the Boston Celtics star suffered a torn Achilles during the second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks. He underwent surgery, and his return timeline is uncertain. A significant portion of the 2025-26 season could potentially be missed.
The Celtics’ championship aspirations may be on hold, but their competitive window remains open. With Tatum on the court, they are a formidable team in the Eastern Conference.
Tatum finished the regular season averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Though he took a step back regarding shooting efficiency (45.2% from the field, 34.3% from deep), his career-high assists mark his improvement as an overall playmaker.
Tatum has been knocking on the MVP door for several seasons, and it’s only a matter of time before he walks through it. He’s the most complete wing in the league and still in the middle of his prime.
Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell secured a fifth-place finish in the NBA MVP race, marking the highest placement in his eight-year career. Leading the East’s top seed, Mitchell was a legitimate contender for the award, despite not posting standout numbers.
In 2024, Mitchell averaged 24.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, with a 36.8% success rate from beyond the arc. His playoff performance increased to 29.6 points per game, reflecting a more aggressive approach and an uptick in shot attempts.
Mitchell excels with the ball in his hands, creating scoring opportunities at will. He’s also developed into a reliable defender, and his clutch performance further enhances his MVP candidacy.
At 29, Mitchell is in his physical prime. His willingness to share the spotlight with emerging talents like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland underscores his team-first mentality. He’s still one of the NBA’s most potent perimeter threats.
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson is the engine that makes the New York Knicks go. While he didn’t finish near the top in NBA MVP voting, the All-Star point guard put together a strong season, averaging 26.0 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 65 games. Brunson shot nearly 49% from the field and 38.3% from deep.
Brunson also won the 2024-25 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award. He averaged a league-high 5.6 points in clutch situations — possessions in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points. He also led the league in field goals made (52) and ranked third in assists (28) in those moments.
The 28-year-old’s scoring ability isn’t built on athleticism; instead, he uses craftiness and instincts. He can score from anywhere on the floor, and he makes tough shots look routine. What elevates Brunson beyond a crafty scorer is how he orchestrates one of the NBA’s most efficient offenses. The Knicks scored 119.5 points per 100 possessions, fifth in the NBA, in the regular season, according to Cleaning the Glass.
Brunson’s fearlessness and reliability in clutch moments make him a prime candidate for the next American-born MVP. His position as the point guard for a championship-contending team helps.
Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham has arrived, ladies and gentlemen. The Oklahoma State product enjoyed a career year, averaging 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds with a 46.9% field goal percentage and 35.6% three-point percentage. Each of those marks was a career best for Cunningham. He ranked in the top 10 in the NBA in points, assists, and rebounds.
After years of limited roles, the Detroit Pistons finally unleashed their young star, resulting in significant improvements. Under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the team won 30 more games than the previous season, securing their first playoff berth since 2018.
Cunningham’s game has shown consistent growth, with steady increases in key statistics. He’s a true playmaker with exceptional passing skills and a developing jump shot. His confidence has grown since entering the league, and if he continues to assert himself, he could become a dominant force.
With the league’s sixth-highest usage rate (33.2%), the ball will remain in Cunningham’s hands. He’s also only 23 years old and has plenty of years left at his prime and room to grow. If Detroit keeps climbing, he could be a surefire MVP candidate before you know it.
Anthony Davis
At 32, Anthony Davis is the oldest player on this list but remains one of the most physically gifted in the NBA. Over 13 seasons, Davis has accumulated 10 All-Star selections, five All-NBA and All-Defensive Team honors, and an NBA championship. However, he has yet to claim an MVP title.
Davis now finds himself with the Dallas Mavericks following a surprising trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis played nine games in his brief stint with Dallas before an injury sidelined him. In his debut, he posted 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in 31 minutes against the Houston Rockets.
Davis was arguably the league’s premier two-way big man during his six seasons with the Lakers. While the Mavericks’ roster for next season is still taking shape, other big men like Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford allow Davis to play his preferred style on both ends of the court.
The biggest concern in Davis’s case is his health. This has been an ongoing conversation throughout his career, but there’s no question that when he’s available, he’s one of the best players on the floor every night.
Cooper Flagg
From the oldest player on the list to the youngest, they just happen to be future teammates. The Mavericks hit the lottery and landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which they’ll presumably use to select Cooper Flagg. The Duke freshman sensation is a generational prospect whose advanced metrics reflect one of the most dominant freshman seasons ever.
Flagg enters the NBA with a well-rounded game, offering elite versatility on offense and defense. Despite being just 18, he demonstrates a veteran’s basketball IQ and composure.
As the AP Player of the Year and Wooden Award recipient, Flagg has a unique ability to enhance his teammates’ performances. His unselfishness and innate understanding of the game should make him an excellent fit alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
With his length, instincts, and polished two-way play, Flagg is expected to make an immediate impact and become a cornerstone for the Mavericks. While it’s premature to label him an MVP candidate, especially with established stars around him, his potential is undeniable. However, Gilgeous-Alexander, Antetokounmpo, and Jokić aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so it could still be a few years before an American-born player wins NBA MVP again.