By Nikola Miloradovic/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2025–26 EuroLeague regular season is entering its final phase, and the MVP race is becoming clearer as standout performers continue to make their case. Looking back at Volume 1, published after the first five rounds, two players remain in the current Top 5. Over the next eight rounds, new names entered the conversation in Volume 2.
Now, with around 14 rounds still to play (plus several postponed games), one new face has emerged since the previous edition. Certain players are consolidating their positions at the top, though others remain capable of throwing their names into the race in the final stretch.
Eurohoops presents Volume 3 of the Eurohoops MVP Ladder for the 2025–26 EuroLeague season.
1. Sasha Vezenkov – Olympiacos Piraeus
Season stats: 19.4 points (2nd), 6.7 rebounds (3rd), 1.4 assists, PIR 23.4 (1st)
Team record: 15–8 (5th)
After dropping from first to third place between Volumes 1 and 2, Sasha Vezenkov has surged back to the top of the MVP Ladder. The Olympiacos forward has been in remarkable form since Round 13, posting a PIR of 20 or higher in 11 consecutive games. From Rounds 20 to 23, he averaged 25.5 points and a PIR of 32.75 in matchups against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, FC Bayern Munich, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, and Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv.
Vezenkov continues to amaze night after night, hitting buckets through elite off-ball movement, timely cuts, and a quick, reliable release that punishes defensive lapses. He also leads the EuroLeague in MVP of the Round awards with three. Olympiacos has climbed to fifth place, and Vezenkov’s performances have been key to the Reds’ resurgence.
Having already won the EuroLeague MVP in 2023, Vezenkov is proving he can repeat that success. Still, with the final third of the season ahead, other contenders could yet make their mark.
2. Kendrick Nunn – Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens
Season stats: 19.4 points (1st), 3.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, PIR 18.2 (7th)
Team record: 14–10 (9th)
The reigning MVP, Kendrick Nunn, has delivered a season of highs and lows, but his standout performances far outweigh the quieter nights. Even with some inconsistency, he continues to lead the scoring charts and remains firmly in the race for another Alfonso Ford Trophy.
Injuries have slowed him at times, which partially explains why he trails Vezenkov in the MVP conversation. Yet, Panathinaikos’s struggles during his absences highlight Nunn’s importance. His individual highlights include 26 points and a PIR of 39 against Partizan in Round 13, and 32 points with 6 assists in the Greek derby, producing a PIR of 40 – even though Panathinaikos fell short.
There is no doubt that Nunn is one of the EuroLeague’s biggest stars. With the playoffs approaching, Panathinaikos will need him to maintain top-level performances, as he has repeatedly shown he thrives in high-stakes moments.
3. Sylvain Francisco – Zalgiris Kaunas
Season stats: 16.6 points (7th), 3.1 rebounds, 6.8 assists (1st), PIR 20.0 (4th)
Team record: 14–10 (8th)
Francisco has established himself as one of the EuroLeague’s top point guards. As Zalgiris’s focal player, he has led the team into the top half of the standings and into contention for a direct playoff spot.
A brief dip in form cost him a higher spot in this edition of the MVP Ladder, but he continues to drive Zalgiris forward. Francisco leads the EuroLeague in assists, underscoring his influence on every possession. He has recorded four double-doubles this season and several near-misses, ranking among the league’s top scorers and owning the fourth-best PIR.
Francisco’s ability to deliver in clutch situations makes him an essential player for Zalgiris. With the most important regular-season games still ahead, his high-level contributions keep him firmly in the MVP conversation.
4. Elijah Bryant – Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv
Season stats: 15.0 points (14th), 6.0 rebounds (8th), 3.1 assists, PIR 20.4 (3rd)
Team record: 16–7 (1st)
Hapoel Tel Aviv continues to top the standings in its inaugural EuroLeague season, and Elijah Bryant has become the team’s standout performer under Dimitris Itoudis.
Bryant’s impact was evident starting in Rounds 9 and 10, when he posted back-to-back PIRs of 36 and 38. Since then, he has maintained a consistent stretch of high-level performances, contributing across multiple categories. His absence against Partizan highlighted just how vital he is to Hapoel’s success.
Bryant ranks in the Top 5 in PIR, Top 10 in rebounds, and Top 15 in scoring, proving his ability to produce on multiple levels. His all-around excellence keeps him firmly in the MVP conversation.
5. Mike James – AS Monaco
Season stats: 16.6 points (tied 7th), 3.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists (3rd), PIR 18.4 (6th)
Team record: 15–9 (6th)
The EuroLeague’s all-time leading scorer, Mike James, continues to show why he is one of the league’s most feared and reliable guards. After a rocky start to the season, he has been key in guiding AS Monaco back into the Top 6, contributing both as a scorer and a playmaker.
More than just a scorer, James is the heartbeat of the Roca Team. Averaging over 30 minutes per game (second-highest in the league), he carries the team in tight contests, delivering clutch shots and veteran leadership. His 6.5 assists per game highlight his ability to involve teammates and orchestrate the offense at a high level.
James continues to remind fans why he was the 2024 MVP. With the regular season entering its most critical phase, he is expected to maintain – and possibly elevate – his performance, making him a clear MVP contender.
Honorable mentions: Nikola Milutinov, Chima Moneke, Filip Petrusev, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kevin Punter.