American Renaissance? Five U.S.-Born Stars Challenging NBA’s International MVP Dominance
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The NBA’s Most Valuable Player award has been largely dominated by international players in recent years, but a new wave of American talent is poised to challenge that trend. After James Harden’s 2018 win, the league has seen a prolonged drought of American-born MVP recipients, a fact that feels “like 50 years” given the ancient dominance of U.S. players in the sport. Now, a compelling group of stars, including Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards, are vying to restore American pride to the NBA’s most prestigious individual honour.
The International Hold on the MVP Trophy
For years, the MVP award has been a showcase of global basketball talent, with Nikola Jokić (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada) recently claiming the throne. This shift has left manny wondering when an American player will once again hoist the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. The competition is further complicated by the potential absence of Jayson Tatum, who garnered the most MVP votes from American players last season but faces a notable recovery period.
While established stars like lebron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin durant remain impactful, their teams will need to be championship contenders for them to re-enter the MVP conversation. The same holds true for Joel Embiid, a Cameroonian-born player now an American citizen, and his Philadelphia 76ers, who face uncertainty heading into the new season.
Five Americans to Watch in the 2025-26 MVP Race
Despite these challenges,several American players are positioned to make a serious run at the MVP award. Here are five contenders, ranked alphabetically, with the potential to capture votes or even claim the top prize:
jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Few players have experienced a more rapid ascent than Jalen Brunson. Once a second-round pick and backup point guard in Dallas, Brunson has blossomed into an elite point guard and the driving force behind the New York Knicks, a team in the nation’s largest media market. His ab
Luka Davis, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Davis is a strong candidate for MVP consideration. He has met the game threshold required for MVP consideration once sence 2018. This season represents a crucial opportunity for Davis to prove his durability and prime form in his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks. If he can lead the Mavericks to sustained success while remaining healthy, the MVP votes will likely follow.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards possesses both the skill set and the unwavering desire to contend for the MVP award. Coming off a season where he averaged 27.6 points per game – fourth-highest in the league – alongside 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists, Edwards is rapidly ascending to superstardom.
Continued advancement in his scoring and efficiency will undoubtedly draw attention. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves must achieve a 60-win season and challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference for Edwards to truly emerge as a frontrunner. Those team goals represent his biggest hurdle.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
donovan Mitchell’s statistics, clutch performances, and the potential for team success all favor his MVP candidacy. He received more MVP votes than any othre american player last season,trailing only Tatum. The Cleveland Cavaliers, coming off a 64-win season and a No. 1 seed in the East, are well-positioned for another strong campaign.
The potential weakening of the Boston Celtics due to Tatum’s injury and the departure of key players further strengthens the cavaliers’ position. For Mitchell to solidify his MVP case, he will need to maintain elite scoring numbers and contribute considerably in rebounding for a guard.
The road to the MVP award for these American stars will be challenging, but the opportunity is there. As one analyst noted, the league is witnessing a potential shift in the balance of power, with a new generation of American players ready to claim their place among the NBA’s elite.
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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