- The last five MVP award winners are international-ššØš«š§ players
- Two of the last three Finals MVPs are international-ššØš«š§ players
- Four of the top five leading scorers in the NBA in 2022-23 were international-ššØš«š§ players
Over the last 20 years, we have watched the National Basketball Association evolve in more ways than one. The game itself has changed, with rules and play style being the biggest contributors to that. The amount of money players are now earning has completely changed. The athleticism and physical spectacle put forth every night have definitely changed as well. One of the biggest changes we have seen during this time is the influx of international talent entering the NBA ranks.
International-ššØš«š§ players arenāt just content with simply making it, though. Many of these players from various parts of the world have shown up, they showed out, and they began dominating. Years ago, you could point to the top international players as a few select players who had Hall of Fame careers. Now, we can look at 15-20 international players and say they are among the best in the NBA at their position and overall.
Today, we are going to count down the 25 greatest international NBA players heading into 2023-24. There will be some surprises along the way and some names that did themselves some big favors in 2022-23 to move their way up this list. Without any further speculation, letās get into the list.
These are the 25 best international NBA players heading into the 2023-24 season.
Note: These players must represent a country other than the United States in international play to qualify for this list.
25. Dillon Brooks
Credit: Fadeaway World
2022-23 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Dillon Brooks made headlines and waves during the 2022-23 season with the Memphis Grizzlies but for reasons no team wants to see from one of their key players. Brooks was candidly outspoken on several occasions with the media and clashed on the court with the likes of Draymond Green and LeBron James repeatedly which even included their first-round playoff matchup with the Lakers that ended in a Lakers victory.
Brooksā personality only added to the up-and-down season for the Grizzlies as they still recovered from Ja Morantās multiple incidents. When it came down to basketball, Brooks was decent in his sixth season with the team. He averaged 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.6 APG but on extremely low efficiency at 39.6% which dropped to 10.5 PPG on 31.2% shooting in the playoffs.
Brooks is also an established defender who has zero issues in taking on bigger forwards and guards along the way. After his playoff letdown, the Grizzlies announced they would not be bringing Brooks back āunder any circumstancesā. Well, that didnāt stop Brooks from inking a four-year, $80 million deal with the Houston Rockets this summer in free agency. Brooks will be a welcomed addition to a young team in need of some veteran leadership. The only question that remains is if it will have a negative or positive impact on their growth as a unit.
24. Rui Hachimura
Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Before arriving in Los Angeles with the Lakers at last yearās trade deadline, Rui Hachimura was your average āhe just needs a chanceā player in the NBA with the Wizards. He has everything any team would want from a modern-day power forward. Heās tall, athletic, and can shoot from deep at a fairly consistent and efficient rate.
After arriving in L.A., Hachimura became one of the catalysts for their late push to the playoffs and eventually the Western Conference Finals. In 33 games with the Lakers, he averaged 9.6 PPG and 4.7 RPG on 48.5% shooting from the floor. In the NBA playoffs, he would take his game to a different level and average 12.2 PPG on 55.7% shooting overall and over 48.0% shooting from three. This offseason, Hacimura signed a deal to remain in Los Angeles with the Lakers after proving that he could be a vital piece to their quest for another NBA championship.
23. Alperen Sengun
Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 14.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG
Alperen Sengun was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Turkey. As his NBA career began, Sengun was a relatively unknown prospect although there were some rumblings about his potential as a scorer and playmaker along the lines of a young and underdeveloped Nikola Jokic. In no time, Sengun began to earn meaningful minutes for the Rockets due to his all-around sšš¾šš as a scorer in the post, passer, and playmaker. In all honesty, he plays like a guard more than he does a center just like his š¤š©šŖšš„hood idol, Nikola Jokic.
After a solid rookie campaign, Sengun saw himself inserted into the starting role for Houston in 2022-23. Sengun showed off his full arsenal of tools in his bag and improved greatly with the increase of minutes. In 75 games in 2022-23, Sengun would average 14.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and 3.9 APG on 55.3% shooting from the field. Heading into 2023-24 with a slightly reformed Rockets team, look for Sengun to be the focal point of Houston’s offense on most nights as they try and get back into playoff contention.
22. Jonas Valanciunas
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 14.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Over the last five seasons, I would venture to say that Jonas Valanciunas is one of the three most underrated players in basketball. If youāre looking for a center who is going to lead by example, get physical in order to help his team win, and do whatever it takes, Valanciunas is the player youāre looking for.
For a 7-footer, Valanciunas displays great hand-eye coordination, and athleticism, and absolutely dominates the offensive glass. For centers, Valanciunas is among the most explosive and agile in the entire NBA. The 2022-23 season was Valanciunasā 11th in the NBA and second with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 79 starts, he averaged 14.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 0.7 BPG on 54.7% shooting from the field. His scoring numbers dipped a touch from 2021-22, but I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt considering all of the issues New Orleans had with continuity in 2022-23. Look for Valanciunas to play a big role in New Orleansā 2023-24 campaign as one of their consistent contributors night in and night out.
21. Clint Capela
Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG
Speaking of underrated, Clint Capela of the Atlanta Hawks comes in at No. 21 on our list today. Capela is a unicorn of sorts but not in the ways in which we traditionally refer to those types of players. Capela does all of the little things so well, itās hard to measure his impact on winning with just numbers and stats. Capela has shown he can be a dominant rebounder and shot-blocker. He can take an opponentās best big out of a game with his attentive defense and innate athletic ability in which he possesses.
This has also made him an unexpected offensive weapon at times with his ability to finish around the rim and run to the rim on lobs or for offensive rebounds. The 2022-23 season was Capelaās ninth in the NBA and third with the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 12.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, and 1.2 BPG on 65.3% shooting with most of his shots coming in the paint. Capela was rumored to be on the trade market this summer but as it stands, he heads into 2023-24 as Atlantaās starting center.
20. Nikola Vucevic
Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG
It wasn’t long ago that we were referring to Nikola Vucevic as a top-10 international player in the league. He can shoot, rebound at a big rate, and is one heck of an underrated playmaker as well. Unfortunately for him, over time, a few things have happened that have made his rankings slip a bit. His defensive shortcomings began to cost his team late in games and the overall international pool of players has gotten that much better. Plus, Vucevic approaching 33 years old doesnāt help either.
It has been two years since he was last named an All-Star but that hasnāt stopped him from remaining a top center in the league. In 2022-23 with the Bulls, Vucevic averaged 17.6 PPG and 11.0 RPG, numbers identical to his 2021-22 season. The difference in 2022-23 was that he was a little more efficient in shooting the ball, shooting 52.0% on 7.3 attempts per game. Vucevic is clearly someone the Bulls are going to be looking at to help them get back to being a playoff team in 2023-24. This summer, the team re-signed him for three years and $60 million. Will it pay off?
19. Josh Giddey
Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 16.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Even though he is just 20 years old at the time I am writing this, I feel extremely comfortable saying that Josh Giddey has the potential to go down as the greatest Australian player in NBA history. Seriously, he has that much potential and has been that good in his two short seasons in the league thus far. His decision-making and quick adaptations to the defense he sees on every possession are mesmerizing and are what have made him one of the most exciting young players to watch in the NBA.
After a decent rookie season with the Thunder, Giddey enjoyed a surge during his sophomore season. Giddeyās numbers improved significantly across the board and show he is trending toward stardom in 2023-24. In 76 starts with Oklahoma City, he averaged 16.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 6.2 APG on 48.2% shooting from the field. It was an exceptionally efficient season after that had been one of his concerns following his rookie year. In 2023-24, he and teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will form one of the gameās best backcourts and may just have the Thunder knocking down the door to the NBA playoffs.
18. Franz Wagner
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
The difference between Giddey at 18 and Wagner at 19 is the slightest of differences and you could honestly flip them if youād like to do so. Wagner will be headed into the third season of his young career with the Orlando Magic but is a big reason why people have been talking about the Magic as a legitimate contender in the future.
Wagner is trending into territory that only one German-ššØš«š§ player has ever reached before, Dirk Nowitzki. Wagner is already one of the most efficient volume drivers in the NBA and his continued improvement as a shot-maker and creator from the outside is turning him into an elite offensive weapon. In 2022-23, Wagnerās abilities were on full display as he averaged 18.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 3.5 APG while shooting 48.5% from the field. As Orlando heads into 2023-24, Wagner and young sensation Paolo Banchero will continue to lead the way.
17. Bojan Bogdanovic
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 21.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG
The 2022-23 season was Bojan Bogdanovicās ninth season in the NBA and his first as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Over time, Bogdanovic has become a top-notch three-point shooter in the NBA and a very efficient scorer overall. Using his size, he also displays the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish strongly through his defender rather than flailing and looking for foul calls.
In 2022-23, in his first season with the Pistons, Bogdanovic had possibly the best season of his career. He averaged a career-high 21.6 PPG while shooting 48.8% overall and 41.1% from three on 6.0 attempts. Bogdanovic was one of the few bright spots for a Pistons team marred by injury and finished 17-65. For now, Bogdanovic remains with Detroit and will surely be a big part of their game plan heading into 2023-24. However, look for contending teams like the Dallas Mavericks and others to pursue him if their season begins to fall apart again.
16. OG Anunoby
Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Over the last three seasons, OG Anunoby has finally begun to evolve into the player the Toronto Raptors had hoped they drafted 23rd overall in 2017. Anunoby may have taken some time to find his niche in the NBA but he has finally found it as one of the elite defenders in the game. He uses his length, footwork, explosiveness, and willingness to get physical to lock everyone he faces down from smaller centers to the gameās top guards.
Although he isnāt as polished as he would like to be offensively, Anunoby is still improving with time. He has been a decent three-point shooter but the only thing slowing him down has been his inconsistency. Since 2020-21, Anunoby has averaged 16.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 1.7 SPG but has only played more than 50 games once. He won the NBA steals title in 2022-23, playing 67 games and swiping 1.9 SPG. Anunoby was a hot commodity on the trade market during the season in 2022-23 but it looks like Toronto is keeping him around until they get the haul they think they deserve for a young and impactful player.
15. Victor Wembanyama
Credit: Fadeaway World
2022-23 Stats: N/A
I know it seems absolutely ridiculous to have an international player that has not played a single NBA game in his career ranked ahead of so many veterans and so much budding talent. Although it may be premature,Ā Victor WembanyamaĀ is no ordinary international player or prospect. As a matter of fact, he is the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James was gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated in high school and just two minutes of watching him on the court will tell you why.
Wembanyama has all the tools and attributes to become one of the greatest players we have ever seen. Standing 7ā4āā tall, Wembanyama plays as much like a center as he does a guard. He routinely puts the ball on the floor and gets to the spots he wants and picks apart defenses as a scorer or passer. Wembanyama has shown he can and will shoot the ball from the outside. His instincts as a defender have been top-notch even at a younger age and show tremendous promise based on what we saw from him this past year overseas.
Of course, things like the speed of the NBA game, his skinny frame, the physicality of the league, and other things have been brought up as potential issues for the potential superstar. However, under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and other Spurs legends, do you really think they will be issues for long?
14. RJ Barrett
Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG
New York Knicks guard/forward RJ Barrett has had his up-and-down moments over the last four seasons with the Knicks. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Barrett was the third overall pick by the Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft after spending one season at Duke. Since that time, Barrett has had nights where he has looked like their franchise cornerstone and other nights where the Knicks faithful couldn’t wait to ship him out of town for Donovan Mitchell.
For now, things look up for Barrett in New York. He had a good season in 2022-23 with 19.6 PPG,5.0 RPG, and 2.8 APG on 43.4% shooting. Barrett helped the Knicks reach the second round of the NBA playoffs as well, averaging 19.3 PPG and 4.5 RPG on 43.3% shooting. Barrett and new teammate Jalen Bruson look like they could be the future of the organization for a long time. I expect Barrett to take the next step into All-Star status in 2023-24.
13. Andrew Wiggins
Credit: Kevin Jaira-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 17.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Another Canadian-ššØš«š§ star cracks the top 15 international players list. Andrew Wigginsā ranking takes a bit of a hit this season after missing most of the 2022-23 season due to injuries and personal issues. Wiggins was coming off a monster season in 2021-22 that saw him play a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors NBA championship and land a contract extension that will pay him $109 million over four years.
Limited to just 37 games in 2022-23, Wiggins still managed to average 17.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. He stayed consistent in the playoffs as well with 16.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 1.2 BPG but the Warriors have too many other issues to repeat as champions. Wiggins will certainly look to bounce back in 2023-24 and after a full healthy offseason, I fully expect him to do so. His role on the team takes on much more importance with the departure of Jordan Poole this summer.
12. Kristaps Porzingis
Credit: Fadeaway World
2022-23 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.5 BPG
Making a small jump up our rankings in 2023-24 is Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics. Of course, Porzingis spent the 2022-23 season with the Washington Wizards before being dealt to the Celtics this summer. It was this past season that netted the 7ā3āā big man from Latvia a new deal with Boston worth $60 million over two years.
Porzingis had a bounceback season in 2022-23 with Washington. He played over 60 games for the first time since 2016-17 averaging 23.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. He also shot 49.8% from the field overall and 38.5% from three on just over 5.0 attempts. Porzingis will be looked at as the offensive piece of Bostonās frontcourt they feel has been holding them back from an NBA championship over the last few seasons. If he can stay healthy and repeat his 2022-23ās performance, I see no reason why they can’t become a reality.
11. Lauri Markkanen
Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 25.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG
When we talk about NBA players who saw their stock rise in 2022-23, none rose higher or faster than Lauri Markkanen. Heading into 2022-23, Markkanen had been seen as a slight disappointment through his first five seasons with the Bulls and Cavaliers. After an incredibly strong showing at EuroBasket for his native Finland and a trade to Utah, Markkanen carries that performance over to the NBA regular season in a big way.
The 2022-23 season saw Markkanen get named an All-Star for the first time and win the NBAās Most Improved Player award. He averaged 25.6 PPG and 8.6 RPG in 66 games played for the Jazz while shooting 49.9% overall, 39.1% from three, and 87.5% from the foul line. Markkanen has made the Jazzās front office job of rebuilding the franchise much easier with his improvement and it will be interesting to watch both his and the franchiseās continued development.
10. Rudy Gobert
Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 13.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.4 BPG
It wasnāt long ago that I could have made an argument for Rudy Gobert to be a top-five international player. The 7-foot French native is a former three-time Defensive Player of the Year and the former cornerstone of a promising franchise. However, over the last few seasons, we have seen Gobertās lack of impact even on defense, be exposed time and time again when it matters most.
This isn’t to say that Gobert is not still a top talent at the center position because he is. In his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022-23, Gobert averaged 13.4 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. In the NBA playoffs against the eventual champions and Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, he averaged 15.0 PPG and 12.2 RPG in five games. The talent as a rebounder and defender is still there. Now, it will be about putting it together with the team around him to put them over the top and more than a first-round exit.
9. Karl-Anthony Towns
Credit: Kevin Jaira-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 20.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG
With his declaration and plan to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, Karl-Anthony-Towns makes his way into the top 10 of our list as well. Towns is coming off a season with Minnesota that he would like to forget as the franchise tried to build an immediate winner. Towns, who is heading into his ninth season with the Timberwolves, struggled with injuries, playing just 29 games and struggling in those games as well.
The Timberwolves managed to make the NBA playoffs while Towns made his way back into the lineup. In five games against the Denver Nuggets, Towns averaged 18.2 PPG and 10.2 RPG in 36.0 minutes of action. Clearly, he had not had enough time to shake off the rust of missing so much time. In 2023-24, Minnesota needs him and Gobert to be healthy and in sync in order to take the next level as a unit. Can they co-exist with one another to make that happen?
8. Pascal Siakam
Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Despite all of the rumors swirling and changes happening in Toronto this summer, Pascal Siakam remains one thing they will be able to count on moving forward. If they donāt trade him that is. Siakam returned to All-Star form in 2022-23, once again showing why he is one of the most unique, versatile, and effective forwards in the game today. As a scorer, passer, playmaker, and even a defender, Siakam stepped up and gave the Raptors a momentum boost every opportunity he was afforded to do so.
In 71 games with Toronto this past season, Siakam averaged 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 5.8 APG. He shot the ball at 48.0% overall and 32.4% from three as well. He was named an All-Star for the second time in his career but missed out on his second straight All-NBA Team selection. If Toronto wants to compete, they will keep Siakam around and build around him. If they wish to rebuild, he could be a key piece for any team hoping to contend for a championship in 2023-24.
7. Domantas Sabonis
Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 7.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
If anyone had ever doubted the impact that Domantas Sabonis had on success before 2022-23, he sure shut them up. Sabonis entered his first full season with the Sacramento Kings after being dealt at the trade deadline in 2022. He proceeded to have one of the best overall seasons of his career next to new partner-in-crime DeāAaron Fox and help the Kings reach the NBA playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Sabonis earned the third All-Star selection of his career in 2022-23 with the Kings as he averaged 19.1 PPG,Ā a league-leading 12.3 RPG, and 7.3 APG. Sabonis would also shoot a career-high 61.5% from the field and a career-high 37.3% from three. The Kings were made to look like geniuses after inking him to one of the largest contracts in NBA history last summer as Sabonis is clearly the future of the franchise along with Fox. The sky’s the limit for the Kings in 2023-24 as long as this duo remains healthy and in sync.
6. Jamal Murray
Credit: Vincent Carchetta-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 20.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
I think the greatest story of 2022-23 was Jamal Murray’s unbelievable return to action. Murray missed nearly a year and a half on the court due to an ACL injury he suffered during the 2021 season. Although it took some adjusting and getting used to the speed of the game again, Murray returned in 2022-23 in the most triumphant way imaginable.
Murray was able to play 65 games while averaging 20.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 6.2 APG, coming off the knee injury that could have changed the direction of his career. Murray saved the best play of his young career so far for the NBA playoffs. With big performance after big performance and fourth-quarter heroics, Murray etched his name into Denver Nuggets history forever as he averaged 26.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 7.1 APG across the NBA playoffs. It ended with Denverās first NBA championship in franchise history, completing one hell of an NBA comeback.
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 31.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Over the last two seasons, we have watched Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go from a player with star potential going relatively unnoticed into a bonafide superstar. This summer, we will get to see it on an international level as he and Jamal Murray team up for the starting backcourt forĀ Team Canada in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Gilgeous-Alexander has been on the cusp of greatness for a few seasons now but truly tapped into that potential with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2022-23.
Gilgeous-Alexander would earn both All-Star and All-NBA First Team honors with his 31.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 1.6 SPG season in 2022-23. Although they lost rookie Chet Holmgren before the season even started, Shai still had the Thunder in the play-in tournament with a record of 40-42. The Thunder have one of the brightest futures in the NBA and leading the way is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who I would say is a pretty damn good centerpiece for their franchise.
4. Luka Doncic
Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG
The top four from here on out are easily the four best international players in the game today. The only thing that can be argued about them is the order.Ā Luka DoncicĀ could easily be the third-best player here but allowing his Dallas Mavericks to fall out of playoff and play-in contention last season really hurt his stock. Doncic is arguably the best point guard in the NBA with his ability to elevate the play of those around him and make even the most abysmal supporting cast into contenders.
In 2022-23, Doncic had another All-Star and All-NBA season for the Mavericks even though they struggled as a unit. He averaged 32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 8.0 APG in 66 games played while shooting a career-high 49.6% from the floor. Doncic and backcourt partner Kyrie Irving will be tasked with getting the Mavericks back into the NBA playoffs and beyond in 2023-24, something that they should be able to achieve. As long as Doncic is focused on his team and his role as the primary playmaker, they should be back.
3. Joel Embiid
Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 BPG
It isnāt often that a reigning MVP would be ranked below even the second spot on any list for active players, but there had to be an exception made in 2023-24.Ā Joel EmbiidĀ is coming off a season with the Philadelphia 76ers that was both special and one he would like to put in the rearview mirror.
Embiid would have a monster season that would see him capture his first MVP award and second straight scoring title. He averaged 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.7 BPG in 66 games played while helping the 76ers win 54 games. His playoff run would come to an end in the second round once again, however, after a meltdown by both he and James Harden against the Boston Celtics. Embiid has the opportunity to silence the critics once again in 2023-24 but that window is closing fast. He will need to find another gear come playoff time if he wishes to become an NBA champion.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 31.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Honestly, flip a coin between the number-one and number-two spots on this list regardless of the most recent events in the NBA.Ā Giannis AntetokounmpoĀ is still arguably the best player in the world despite a disappointing finish to the 2022-23 season with a first-round loss to the Miami Heat. Giannis was still among the most dominant players in the game on both sides of the ball and led Milwaukee to the best record in the Eastern Conference at 58-24.
In 63 games played in 2022-23, Giannis would average a career-high 31.1 PPG as well as 11.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.8 BPG. Giannis recorded 39 30-point games on the year as well as 12 40-point games and three 50-point games. In 2023-24, things could get scary for the rest of the NBA. Giannis is out for revenge and has listened to the naysayers about how his naysayers treated the end of his 2023 season. We all remember the last time we saw a motivated Giannis Antetokounmpo, right?
1. Nikola Jokic
Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Stats: 24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG
With all arguments and debate aside, there was really no reason not to haveĀ Nikola JokicĀ as the best international player and overall NBA player heading into the 2023-24 season. After two seasons of his back-to-back MVP awards being called into question, we saw Jokic nonchalantly destroy the Western Conference in the NBA playoffs along with the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals for the first of what could be many NBA championships in his future.
Jokic nearly won a third straight MVP award after leading the Denver Nuggets to the best record in the Western Conference at 53-29. He averaged 24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 9.8 APG in 69 regular season games for Denver as they cruised toward the NBA playoffs. He would then average a near triple-double in the NBA playoffs with 30.0 PPG, 13.5 RPG, and 9.5 APG in 20 games. Denver should still be the leading favorites heading into 2023-24, just as Jokic should still be the MVP and Finals MVP favorite. Until someone knocks him off his throne, he will remain atop this list for quite some time as well.
