NBA MVP hasn’t been an American for 8 years. Here’s who can break the streak
SB Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- The last American-born NBA MVP was James Harden in 2018, with recent MVP awards dominated by international players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid.
- Victor Wembanyama is expected to break the drought of No. 1 overall picks winning MVP soon, but the next American-born MVP might not emerge for years, possibly not even currently in the league.
- Young veterans like Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Cade Cunningham have potential to win MVP but face stiff competition and challenges such as injuries and team dynamics.
- Promising younger prospects born between 2006-2007, including Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer, offer high ceilings and could be future American MVP candidates, though their primes are still several years away.
- Long-term projections even include players not yet draft-eligible, like 16-year-old Rhys Robinson, highlighting the uncertainty and extended timeline before the next American-born MVP emerges.