NBA Most Valuable Player facts for kids

Quick facts for kids NBA Most Valuable Player
Bob McAdoo and his 1974–75 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy
Sport	Basketball
League	National Basketball Association
Given for	Best performing player in regular season of the National Basketball Association
History
First award	1955–56
Most wins	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6)
Most recent	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (2025)

The NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) is a special award given each year in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It started in the 1955–56 season. This award goes to the player who performs the best during the NBA's regular season.

Since the 2022–23 season, the winner receives the Michael Jordan Trophy. This trophy is named after Michael Jordan, who won the MVP award five times himself. Before 2021, the award was called the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. It was named after the NBA's first commissioner, Maurice Podoloff. His name is now on a different trophy given to the team with the best regular season record.

How the MVP is Chosen

For many years, NBA players voted for the MVP. But since the 1980–81 season, sports writers and broadcasters from the United States and Canada decide who wins.

Each person on the voting panel picks their top five players. Their first-place choice gets 10 points. Second place gets 7 points, third place gets 5 points, fourth place gets 3 points, and fifth place gets 1 point. Since 2010, fans can also vote online, and their votes count as one ballot. The player with the most points wins the award.

The most recent MVP winner for the 2024–25 season is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Amazing MVP Facts

Almost every player who has won this award has also been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This Hall of Fame is where the greatest basketball players are honored.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won the MVP award a record six times. He is also the only player to win the award when his team did not make it to the playoffs. This happened in the 1975–76 season.

Both Bill Russell and Michael Jordan won the award five times. Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James each won it four times. Russell and James are the only players to win the award four times in just five seasons.

Some other players who won the award multiple times include Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Nikola Jokić (three times each). Bob Pettit, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo won it twice.

Russell, Chamberlain, and Bird are the only players to win the award three years in a row. Only two rookies (first-year players) have ever won the MVP: Chamberlain in 1959–60 and Wes Unseld in 1968–69.

Many international players have won the MVP award. These include Hakeem Olajuwon (from Nigeria), Tim Duncan (from the U.S. Virgin Islands), Steve Nash (from Canada), Dirk Nowitzki (from Germany), Giannis Antetokounmpo (from Greece), Nikola Jokić (from Serbia), Joel Embiid (from Cameroon), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (from Canada).

Stephen Curry is the only player to win the award unanimously. This means every single voter chose him for first place in the 2015–16 season. Shaquille O'Neal (1999–2000) and LeBron James (2012–13) almost won unanimously, each missing by just one vote.

Since the 1975–76 season, only three players have won MVP when their team won fewer than 50 regular season games. These players are Moses Malone (twice), Russell Westbrook, and Nikola Jokić.

New Rules for MVP Eligibility

Starting with the 2023–24 season, there are new rules for players to be eligible for the MVP award. Players must play in at least 65 games to be considered. To count as a game played, a player must be on the court for at least 20 minutes. However, a player can have two "near misses" (playing 15 to 19 minutes) that still count towards the 65-game total. There are also special rules for players who get season-ending injuries or face other unusual situations.

Winners

Bill Russell (left) won the award five times. Wilt Chamberlain (center) won it four times.

Bob Pettit was the first player to win multiple MVP awards.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the award a record six times.

Larry Bird was the last player to win the award three years in a row.

Hakeem Olajuwon is one of three players to win the NBA MVP and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the same season.

Michael Jordan won the NBA MVP five times.

Derrick Rose became the youngest player to ever win the award at age 22.

LeBron James is a four-time NBA MVP.

Stephen Curry won back-to-back MVP awards in 2014–15 and 2015–16. He was the first unanimous MVP selection.

Giannis Antetokounmpo won back-to-back MVP awards in 2018–19 and 2019–20.

Nikola Jokić won three MVP awards in 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2023–24. He is one of only two players drafted in the second round to win the award.

^	Denotes player who is still active in the NBA
*	Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
†	Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration
	Denotes player whose team won championship that year
Player (#)	Denotes the number of times the player had been named MVP at that time
Team (#)	Denotes the number of times a player from this team had won at that time

Season	Player	Position	Nationality	Team
1955–56	Pettit, BobBob Pettit*	Power forward	United States	St. Louis Hawks
1956–57	Cousy, BobBob Cousy*	Point guard	United States	Boston Celtics
1957–58	Russell, BillBill Russell*	Center	United States	Boston Celtics (2)
1958–59	Pettit, BobBob Pettit* (2)	Power forward	United States	St. Louis Hawks (2)
1959–60	Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain*	Center	United States	Philadelphia Warriors
1960–61	Russell, BillBill Russell* (2)	Center	United States	Boston Celtics (3)
1961–62	Russell, BillBill Russell* (3)	Center	United States	Boston Celtics (4)
1962–63	Russell, BillBill Russell* (4)	Center	United States	Boston Celtics (5)
1963–64	Robertson, OscarOscar Robertson*	Point guard	United States	Cincinnati Royals
1964–65	Russell, BillBill Russell* (5)	Center	United States	Boston Celtics (6)
1965–66	Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* (2)	Center	United States	Philadelphia 76ers
1966–67	Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* (3)	Center	United States	Philadelphia 76ers (2)
1967–68	Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* (4)	Center	United States	Philadelphia 76ers (3)
1968–69	Unseld, WesWes Unseld*	Center	United States	Baltimore Bullets
1969–70	Reed, WillisWillis Reed*	Center	United States	New York Knicks
1970–71	Alcindor, LewLew Alcindor*	Center	United States	Milwaukee Bucks
1971–72	Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar* (2)	Center	United States	Milwaukee Bucks (2)
1972–73	Cowens, DaveDave Cowens*	Center	United States	Boston Celtics (7)
1973–74	Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar* (3)	Center	United States	Milwaukee Bucks (3)
1974–75	McAdoo, BobBob McAdoo*	Center	United States	Buffalo Braves
1975–76	Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar* (4)	Center	United States	Los Angeles Lakers
1976–77	Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar* (5)	Center	United States	Los Angeles Lakers (2)
1977–78	Walton, BillBill Walton*	Center	United States	Portland Trail Blazers
1978–79	Malone, MosesMoses Malone*	Center	United States	Houston Rockets
1979–80	Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar* (6)	Center	United States	Los Angeles Lakers (3)
1980–81	Erving, JuliusJulius Erving*	Small forward	United States	Philadelphia 76ers (4)
1981–82	Malone, MosesMoses Malone* (2)	Center	United States	Houston Rockets (2)
1982–83	Malone, MosesMoses Malone* (3)	Center	United States	Philadelphia 76ers (5)
1983–84	Bird, LarryLarry Bird*	Small forward	United States	Boston Celtics (8)
1984–85	Bird, LarryLarry Bird* (2)	Small forward	United States	Boston Celtics (9)
1985–86	Bird, LarryLarry Bird* (3)	Small forward	United States	Boston Celtics (10)
1986–87	Johnson, MagicMagic Johnson*	Point guard	United States	Los Angeles Lakers (4)
1987–88	Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan*	Shooting guard	United States	Chicago Bulls
1988–89	Johnson, MagicMagic Johnson* (2)	Point guard	United States	Los Angeles Lakers (5)
1989–90	Johnson, MagicMagic Johnson* (3)	Point guard	United States	Los Angeles Lakers (6)
1990–91	Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* (2)	Shooting guard	United States	Chicago Bulls (2)
1991–92	Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* (3)	Shooting guard	United States	Chicago Bulls (3)
1992–93	Barkley, CharlesCharles Barkley*	Power forward	United States	Phoenix Suns
1993–94	Olajuwon, HakeemHakeem Olajuwon*	Center	Nigeria	Houston Rockets (3)
1994–95	Robinson, DavidDavid Robinson*	Center	United States	San Antonio Spurs
1995–96	Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* (4)	Shooting guard	United States	Chicago Bulls (4)
1996–97	Malone, KarlKarl Malone*	Power forward	United States	Utah Jazz
1997–98	Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* (5)	Shooting guard	United States	Chicago Bulls (5)
1998–99	Malone, KarlKarl Malone* (2)	Power forward	United States	Utah Jazz (2)
1999–00	O'Neal, ShaquilleShaquille O'Neal*	Center	United States	Los Angeles Lakers (7)
2000–01	Iverson, AllenAllen Iverson*	Shooting guard	United States	Philadelphia 76ers (6)
2001–02	Duncan, TimTim Duncan*	Power forward	United States	San Antonio Spurs (2)
2002–03	Duncan, TimTim Duncan* (2)	Power forward	United States	San Antonio Spurs (3)
2003–04	Garnett, KevinKevin Garnett*	Power forward	United States	Minnesota Timberwolves
2004–05	Nash, SteveSteve Nash*	Point guard	Canada	Phoenix Suns (2)
2005–06	Nash, SteveSteve Nash* (2)	Point guard	Canada	Phoenix Suns (3)
2006–07	Nowitzki, DirkDirk Nowitzki*	Power forward	Germany	Dallas Mavericks
2007–08	Bryant, KobeKobe Bryant*	Shooting guard	United States	Los Angeles Lakers (8)
2008–09	James, LeBronLeBron James^	Small forward	United States	Cleveland Cavaliers
2009–10	James, LeBronLeBron James^ (2)	Small forward	United States	Cleveland Cavaliers (2)
2010–11	Rose, DerrickDerrick Rose†	Point guard	United States	Chicago Bulls (6)
2011–12	James, LeBronLeBron James^ (3)	Small forward	United States	Miami Heat
2012–13	James, LeBronLeBron James^ (4)	Small forward	United States	Miami Heat (2)
2013–14	Durant, KevinKevin Durant^	Small forward	United States	Oklahoma City Thunder
2014–15	Curry, StephenStephen Curry^	Point guard	United States	Golden State Warriors (2)
2015–16	Curry, StephenStephen Curry^ (2)	Point guard	United States	Golden State Warriors (3)
2016–17	Westbrook, RussellRussell Westbrook^	Point guard	United States	Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
2017–18	Harden, JamesJames Harden^	Shooting guard	United States	Houston Rockets (4)
2018–19	Antetokounmpo, GiannisGiannis Antetokounmpo^	Power forward	Greece	Milwaukee Bucks (4)
2019–20	Antetokounmpo, GiannisGiannis Antetokounmpo^ (2)	Power forward	Greece	Milwaukee Bucks (5)
2020–21	Jokić, NikolaNikola Jokić^	Center	Serbia	Denver Nuggets
2021–22	Jokić, NikolaNikola Jokić^ (2)	Center	Serbia	Denver Nuggets (2)
2022–23	Embiid, JoelJoel Embiid^	Center	Cameroon	Philadelphia 76ers (7)
2023–24	Jokić, NikolaNikola Jokić^ (3)	Center	Serbia	Denver Nuggets (3)
2024–25	Gilgeous-Alexander, ShaiShai Gilgeous-Alexander^	Point guard	Canada	Oklahoma City Thunder (3)

Players with Multiple MVP Awards

This table shows the players who have won the NBA MVP award more than once.

Awards	Player	Team(s)	Years
6	Abdul-Jabbar, KareemKareem Abdul-Jabbar	Milwaukee Bucks (3) / Los Angeles Lakers (3)	1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980
5	Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan	Chicago Bulls	1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998
	Russell, BillBill Russell	Boston Celtics	1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965
4	Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain	Philadelphia Warriors (1) / Philadelphia 76ers (3)	1960, 1966, 1967, 1968
	James, LeBronLeBron James	Cleveland Cavaliers (2) / Miami Heat (2)	2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
3	Bird, LarryLarry Bird	Boston Celtics	1984, 1985, 1986
	Johnson, MagicMagic Johnson	Los Angeles Lakers	1987, 1989, 1990
	Jokić, NikolaNikola Jokić	Denver Nuggets	2021, 2022, 2024
	Malone, MosesMoses Malone	Houston Rockets (2) / Philadelphia 76ers (1)	1979, 1982, 1983
2	Antetokounmpo, GiannisGiannis Antetokounmpo	Milwaukee Bucks	2019, 2020
	Curry, StephenStephen Curry	Golden State Warriors	2015, 2016
	Duncan, TimTim Duncan	San Antonio Spurs	2002, 2003
	Malone, KarlKarl Malone	Utah Jazz	1997, 1999
	Nash, SteveSteve Nash	Phoenix Suns	2005, 2006
	Pettit, BobBob Pettit	St. Louis Hawks	1956, 1959

Teams with MVP Winners

This table shows which NBA teams have had players win the MVP award, and how many times.

Other NBA Awards

• Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
• NBA Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award
• NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award
• NBA G League Most Valuable Player Award
• NBL (United States) Most Valuable Player Award
• NBA records

See also

In Spanish: MVP de la Temporada de la NBA para niños