"We can't be having all these foreign MVPs" - Iman Shumpert calls out the American players to take over the MVP reign from internationals

Eight years. That’s how long it has been since the last American-born player took home the highest individual honor in the NBA: the MVP trophy. James Harden and his stellar season remain a distant memory for a lot of fans. Because after “The Beard” lifted the Michael Jordan Trophy, it was all international dominance after that, and safe to say, it was not really that close.

As the dominance of international players does not seem like it will end anytime soon, Iman Shumpert urged all his fellow Americans to take over what is rightfully theirs. Of course, Shump was joking in a way while saying those words, but nevertheless, there is no doubt that he isn’t the only one who wants to bring the MVP back to American soil.

“With Jokic, Luka and SGA still around, and Wembanyama on the rise, is the next American MVP in the league right now?” Shumpert asked.

“There are American MVPs walking around this MF. I’mma say it, ‘Y’all still want to come to America. Americans, let’s step it up; they are trying to take what’s ours,” he continued jokingly. “We can’t be having all these foreign MVPs…”

International dominance over MVP awards

And while Shumpert pleaded his call to all American players to wake up from the deep sleep and feature in MVP conversations more often, let alone take one for themselves, the fact is that on the surface, it does not look all that promising for the U.S.-born players.

After Harden’s accomplishment, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo who took the award in back-to-back seasons, then Nikola Jokic went on to win three in four years, with Joel Embiid squeezing one in between. And now, the last two awards have gone to Canada thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Not only were the winners all internationals, but the top three guys in contention were internationals as well. The last American player to crack the Top 3 was Stephen Curry back in what now seems like the ancient 2020-21 season. And unfortunately for Shumpert, this trend does not seem like it will stop anytime soon.

The NBA has become more global than ever before, and the international talent pool flooding the league is simply ridiculous right now.

Who can take the MVP?

With Jokic and Shai still dominating and not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon, as well as Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama only starting to scratch the surface of their MVP potential, it honestly feels like the award is for internationals to lose.

Of course, all it takes is one tremendous season to change the fortunes around, but the odds are definitely not in the Americans’ favor right now.

There was a legitimate chance that Cade Cunningham entered the conversation because of the rise of the Detroit Pistons and his stellar play, however the 65-game rule prevented him from being eligible for any major award. Still, Cade absolutely looks like somebody who could have serious contention in the future.

There are also guys like Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson, who continue proving they can carry their teams to deep playoff runs; they just need a bit more dominance during the regular season to catch up with their international fellows.

And then there is the young face of U.S. basketball, Cooper Flagg, who already showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season. If he keeps progressing like this, it will not take long before he becomes part of the absolute cream of the NBA.

Still, internationals are holding a tight grip on that Michael Jordan Trophy right now. But there are several American-born stars who will definitely go all in trying to bring it back where Shump jokingly believes it belongs. The United States.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“We can’t be having all these foreign MVPs” – Iman Shumpert calls out the American players to take over the MVP reign from internationals