How foreign-born basketball players are taking over the NBA
Every MVP since the 2018-2019 season was born outside the United States
by Spencer Mikulski
Foreign basketball players are taking over the NBA. Every MVP since the 2018-2019 season was born outside the United States. Giannis and Jokic won the MVP award consecutively, followed by Embiid in 2023 and Jokic once again in 2024. Although he hasn't won an MVP award yet, Luka Doncic, who is, in my humble view, the most gifted of them, will undoubtedly do so soon. The fact that Giannis and Jokic have each taken home championship rings demonstrates the development of European talent.
Some future stars who haven’t won anything but will make an impact in the future include Victor Wembanyama, Alex Sarr, Franz Wagner, and Alperen Sengun. The best prospect since LeBron James in 2003 was Frenchman Wembanyama, who was selected in the 2023 NBA Draft. With his insane skill set and height of 7 '3, he will undoubtedly leave his mark on the NBA and become one of the greats, barring injury.
Now, how will these foreign superstars shape the future of the NBA? In the next five years, Luka Doncic will undoubtedly win an MVP award; Victor Wembanyama will make some all-star appearances and keep getting better; Jokic will keep winning triple-doubles; and other players will keep dominating. This means scary hours for Americans.
Why are these foreign-born players dominating the NBA now rather than twenty years ago? Although the NBA has had superstars like Dirk Nowitzki, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol in the past, the sheer volume of talent coming from outside the US is astounding. Due to its increasing global appeal, foreigners are now taking over. The Olympics showed this winter, with all the nations having their best stars in the lineup trying to take down the USA.
I've always enjoyed and kept up with basketball, and I'm constantly interested in how the game is developing. Foreign-born basketball players are taking over the NBA as a result of basketball's global expansion.