By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Five rounds into the new season, the ride has already been thrilling – full of excitement, action, turnarounds, nail-biters, and, above all, great basketball.
The balance of power is remarkable. There are no undefeated teams, while 10 of them share identical 3–2 records – a clear sign of how competitive the league is and how evenly matched most rosters appear to be.
Brilliant individual performances have also been a highlight of the opening stretch. Certain players have taken over games on their own, showcased spectacular moves, displayed all-around improvement, and delivered when it mattered most.
Still, a few have managed to rise above the rest. Even though narrowing the list down to just five wasn’t easy, here is the first edition of Eurohoops’ MVP Ladder for the 2025–26 season.
1. Sasha Vezenkov – Olympiacos Piraeus
Season stats: 19.4 points (4th), 10 rebounds (1st), 1.4 assists for a PIR of 25.6 (1st).
Team record: 3-2
Same old Sasha Vezenkov.
Just a quick look at his averages shows why including him on this list was a no-brainer. Vezenkov’s ability to consistently perform at the highest possible level never ceases to amaze.
What makes it even more impressive is that he’s been doing it season after season. Every opponent knows Sasha is the focal point of Olympiacos’s offense, yet no one seems able to stop him. It’s a testament to his elite quality and remarkable consistency.
With Olympiacos dealing with injuries to several key players, Vezenkov once again stepped up, proving to be the main reason why the side from Piraeus holds a positive record after five rounds.
He already has two MVP of the Round awards this season, the latest coming after he almost single-handedly took down Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv in the final quarter – scoring clutch buckets and sealing the win with the game-deciding basket.
It’s also worth noting that Vezenkov has already recorded three double-doubles and tied Nando De Colo for the second-most MVP of the Round honors in EuroLeague history with 16.
Once again, Sasha Vezenkov has reminded everyone that any MVP conversation simply can’t happen without his name.
2. Kendrick Nunn – Panathinaikos
Season stats: 18.2 points (6th), 3.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists for a PIR of 16.4.
Team record: 4-1
The reigning MVP is back in the spotlight. Three mesmerizing performances – combined with Panathinaikos sharing the EuroLeague lead with Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv at 4–1 – have pushed Kendrick Nunn onto the list, even though he also had two forgettable outings.
His latest quiet performance can be partly attributed to knee issues that even kept him out of the Greek League derby against Olympiacos. Still, his dominant displays in wins over FC Bayern Munich, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne were something special.
Much like Vezenkov, everyone knows what Nunn is capable of, yet stopping him is another story. He had a rare off-night against FC Barcelona, but against Bayern, he posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists, earning his first MVP of the Round award this season. Then, versus Baskonia, he exploded for 30 points, scoring over a third of Panathinaikos’s total and sinking the buzzer-beating game-winner.
ASVEL also got a taste of his cold-blooded scoring instinct, as the former Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers guard delivered 26 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in yet another victory.
Panathinaikos might still be finding its rhythm, but it is already at the top of the standings – and Kendrick Nunn seems ready for another spectacular season.
3. Nadir Hifi – Paris Basketball
Season stats: 23.2 points (1st), 4.2 assists, and 2.6 steals (1st) for a PIR of 20 (7th).
Team record: 3-2
No T.J. Shorts? No problem. Nadir Hifi is right there to step up for Paris.
After an unforgettable EuroLeague debut season, the French side made major roster changes and parted ways with nearly all of its core players – except Hifi. And boy, did he step up.
Last year’s undisputed Rising Star is now showing he’s ready for much more.
With coach Francesco Tabellini successfully continuing Paris Basketball’s trademark style, the 23-year-old guard has taken center stage and risen to the occasion. So far, he’s leading the EuroLeague in points (23.2) and steals (2.6) per game.
He posted a season-high 29 points in the win over Baskonia, delivering clutch buckets down the stretch. With his flashy handles, relentless tempo, and fearless approach, Hifi has become a nightmare for opposing defenses.
If he keeps up this level of play, he could easily emerge as a legitimate MVP candidate. For now, he’s undeniably one of the brightest standouts after five rounds.
4. Jordan Nwora – Crvena Zvezda
Season stats: 19.8 points (3rd), 5.4 rebounds, two assists, and 1.6 steals for a PIR of 23.4 (2nd).
Team record: 3-2
Last season, Anadolu Efes had high hopes for long-time NBA forward Jordan Nwora, but he only showed flashes of his potential in the EuroLeague. A summer move to Crvena Zvezda changed everything.
After a year of adjusting to European basketball, Zvezda recognized that the former Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors player – and 2021 NBA champion – was ready to shine. The 27-year-old has more than delivered, leading the team through injuries and a coaching change to a stunning turnaround.
With Nwora spearheading the charge, Zvezda beat Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, handed Zalgiris its first loss of the season, and then took down Real Madrid in front of 20,000 fans at the Belgrade Arena – something few Zvezda teams before could manage.
Through all the ups and downs, the Nigerian star stood out. He opened the season with 19 points against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and 27 versus Bayern before exploding against Zalgiris Kaunas with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists, and 2 emphatic blocks for a PIR of 34 and MVP of the Round honors. He followed that up with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in the win over Madrid, stepping up while guards Isaiah Canaan, Tyson Carter, Devonte’ Graham, and Ognjen Dobric were sidelined.
Fully adapted to EuroLeague basketball, Jordan Nwora now looks ready to emerge as one of the league’s brightest stars. With the Belgrade crowd behind him, he’s on track for an outstanding season – and there was never any doubt about his place in the first MVP Ladder of 2025–26.
5. Vasilije Micić – Hapoel Tel Aviv
Season stats: 15.4 points, four assists, and 2.2 rebounds for a PIR of 14.2.
Team record: 4-1
Vasilije Micic is back! After two seasons in the NBA, the former EuroLeague MVP returned to lead Hapoel Tel Aviv’s ambitious project – and even if he’s not yet at full speed, the Israeli side sits at 4–1, with the Serbian playmaker steadily raising his level each week.
There might be players with flashier numbers, but Micic is the engine that drives Hapoel’s success. His leadership, poise, and control of the game have been crucial in establishing Hapoel as one of only two teams – alongside Panathinaikos – with just one defeat so far.
He opened the season with a solid EuroLeague comeback, dropping 18 points on 4/7 three-point shooting in a statement win over Barcelona, before delivering his best performance yet in Valencia with 24 points and 6 assists in a big road victory.
Still finding his rhythm after two years overseas and a demanding summer with Serbia, Micic is already showing signs of returning to his old dominant self. His combination of experience, game management, and winning mentality makes him indispensable to one of the early EuroLeague frontrunners – and that alone secures his place in Eurohoops’ first MVP Ladder of the season.
And the feeling around Tel Aviv is clear: the best of Vasilije Micic is yet to come.
Honourable mentions: Carsen Edwards (Virtus Bologna), Mfiondu Kabengele (Dubai), Mike James (Monaco), Nikola Milutinov (Olympiacos), Nikola Mirotic (Monaco).