Cameron Boozer Tops 14 American-Born NBA MVP Candidates as U.S. Drought Reaches 8 Years
Updated
Updated · SB Nation · May 19
Cameron Boozer Tops 14 American-Born NBA MVP Candidates as U.S. Drought Reaches 8 Years
4 articles · Updated · SB Nation · May 19
Cameron Boozer was ranked the best bet to become the next American-born NBA MVP, ahead of Cooper Flagg, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, LaMelo Ball and Darryn Peterson.
The ranking argues the wait could be long because no American has won MVP since James Harden in 2018, while Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have combined to take the last 8 awards.
Victor Wembanyama is framed as the biggest obstacle to ending that streak, with the piece suggesting he could dominate the award for years if he stays eligible under the NBA's 65-game rule.
That pushes the focus toward younger prospects rather than current stars, with veterans such as Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown described as unlikely to break through.
The broader takeaway is that the next American MVP may not be in the NBA yet, underscoring how much the league's top individual honor has shifted toward international stars.
Will a current star like Anthony Edwards break the MVP drought, or must America wait for a future prospect like Cameron Boozer?
Is the eight-year American MVP drought a sign of declining US talent or the rise of a new global standard in basketball?