Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's NBA MVP win is the 8th straight for an international player, extending U.S. drought that dates back to 2018
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the NBA MVP award for the second consecutive year, marking the eighth straight win for an international player. This victory extends the drought for American-born MVPs, which has not seen a winner since James Harden in 2018. Gilgeous-Alexander's Oklahoma City Thunder are set to compete in the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
- ▪Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP on May 17, 2026.
- ▪This is the eighth consecutive year that an international player has won the MVP award.
- ▪The last American-born MVP was James Harden in 2018.
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