Dyson Daniels, Lu Dort and Amen Thompson have been named to the Kia NBA All-Defensive Team for the 1st time. The 2025 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft were selected to the First Team.

Russell Westbrook is coming off his first season playing for the Denver Nuggets. He finished the year with averages of 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists an

The last time an American-born player walked away with the top honor was James Harden in 2018. The run of international players winning MVP -- Gilgeous-Alexander is from Canada -- speaks to the expanding global reach of the NBA and the increased number of talent outside of the United States.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had an elite regular season. Despite his Milwaukee Bucks dealing with a plethora of injuries throughout the season, Antetokounmpo stepped up, shouldering the majority of the load for his squad.

In the third quarter of the Timberwolves’ Game 1 loss to Oklahoma City, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tried to drive right past his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Shai fell down, and the official called a foul on Nickeil.