(AP) — The MVP debate ended with a Canadian triumph. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the standout guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, has been named the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player—marking the first time he’s received the league’s top individual honor and extending the league’s international MVP streak to seven straight years.
The 25-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC to a league-best 68-14 record, while also claiming the NBA scoring title with 32.7 points per game. He added 6.4 assists and 5 rebounds per game, and the Thunder outscored opponents by an astonishing 12.9 points per game—the highest margin in NBA history.
“He’s a special player,” said Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets star and runner-up in this year’s MVP race. “His shot selection, his shot capability … he’s always there.”
With this win, Gilgeous-Alexander becomes only the second Canadian-born player to win MVP, joining two-time winner Steve Nash. He also continues the league’s growing trend of honoring players from beyond U.S. borders. Before Gilgeous-Alexander, the last six MVPs were: Jokić (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece/Nigeria), and Joel Embiid (Cameroon/U.S.).
Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammates say his quiet leadership and unshakable confidence are what truly set him apart. “His value is his confidence,” said Kenrich Williams. “He gives that to himself and all of us. It’s contagious.”
Denver’s Jokić had a historic season of his own, becoming the first center in NBA history to average a triple-double with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Still, it wasn’t enough to edge out Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo finished third in MVP voting after averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
The MVP was selected by a panel of 100 international journalists and broadcasters who cast their votes at the conclusion of the regular season. Gilgeous-Alexander’s win underscores the global nature of today’s NBA and signals a new era of leadership for Oklahoma City.
Other major award winners this season include:
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Coach of the Year: Kenny Atkinson (Cleveland)
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Most Improved Player: Dyson Daniels (Atlanta)
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Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle (San Antonio)
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Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Mobley (Cleveland)
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Clutch Player of the Year: Jalen Brunson (New York)
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Sixth Man of the Year: Payton Pritchard (Boston)
Additional league-recognized honors:
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Teammate of the Year: Stephen Curry (Golden State)
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Hustle Award: Draymond Green (Golden State)
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Executive of the Year: Sam Presti (Oklahoma City)
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Sportsmanship & Social Justice Awards: Jrue Holiday (Boston)
With this landmark win, Gilgeous-Alexander not only brings pride to Canada but also helps redefine what leadership and dominance look like in the modern NBA.
