Jokic, SGA, Giannis Named MVP Finalists in Historic Global Lineup

The race for the 2025 NBA MVP is officially on, with Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo announced as the three finalists, marking the fourth consecutive year the award’s top contenders hail from outside the United States.Denver Nuggets superstar Jokic, already a three-time MVP, put together another staggering campaign, averaging a triple-double of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. If he wins again, the Serbian center would join LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain in the elite club of four-time MVPs.Canadian sensation Gilgeous-Alexander made a compelling case of his own. Leading the NBA in scoring with 32.7 points per game on nearly 52% shooting, he propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 68 wins and a record-setting scoring margin. The 26-year-old guard finished second to Jokic last season and may be poised to go one better this time around.Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP himself, also delivered elite numbers with 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. While he faces stiff competition from Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, the Greek forward’s all-around dominance keeps him firmly in the conversation.The global nature of the shortlist underscores a continuing shift in the NBA’s identity. Not since James Harden in 2018 has an American-born player taken home the league’s top individual honor.Meanwhile, the Rookie of the Year finalists include Atlanta Hawks’ French forward Zaccharie Risacher, last year’s No.1 overall pick alongside Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells. Risacher is aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, who claimed the award last season.The winners of all seven major regular-season awards will be revealed in the coming weeks.