Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

THE Africa Blogtable brings together some of the top basketball minds from across the continent to answer some of the league’s most pressing questions this season.

The 2023-24 NBA Awards finalists were unveiled in April and three international players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) and Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) were named MVP Finalists.

With the 2023-24 NBA MVP Award finalists revealed, the Blogtable writers share their thoughts on who will take the crown.

Sindiswa Mabunda, The Big Tip Off (South Africa): I believe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) will win the MVP award.  The Canadian guard had a breakout season last year and continued with his impressive form this year. SGA ended the regular season with an average of 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game and the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

SGA has established himself as the leader of the best team in the West, with the second-best record in the league overall. He has also proven himself to be a top perimeter defender, leading the league in steals with an average of 2 per game. Additionally, he was the third-highest scorer in the league.

Alex Isaboke, Capital FM (Kenya): My MVP is Nikola Jokic. Once again he has proved to be the best over the rest, with his stardom inspiring the Nuggets into the playoffs and on track to defending the title. His name is on the list for several major counting stats – he’s fifth in total points, second in total assists, and third in total rebounds – he remains my favourite.

Mor Bassine, Record (Senegal): I choose Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks for the MVP trophy. His statistics are above average – 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. He is well ahead of players like OKC’s Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists or even last season’s Finals MVP, Nikola Jokic who averaged, 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds.

Tosin Abayomi, Pulse Nigeria (Nigeria): All three MVP nominees had extraordinary campaigns over 82 regular season games.  However, the winner will be Nikola Jokic who has taken the mantle as the best basketball player in the world.  His control of the game from the centre position is unprecedented, while Doncic has better stats in a loaded Western Conference.