As the global reach of basketball continues to expand, the international influence on the NBA continues to grow.
For the second year, The Sporting News has chosen to represent our global audience with a set of NBA honors that also reflect the globalization of the league.
In addition to a record 125 international players on opening night rosters, some of the league’s biggest stars represent countries outside of the U.S. The 2023-24 season is yet another reminder that that international influence will only continue to grow with the game.
This year, eight members of The Sporting News’ Global NBA staff voted on five different awards and an All-International Team that reflects the league’s talent across the globe. Voting began during the final week of the season and closed on the final day.
For ranked-choice awards, first-place votes received five points, second-place votes received three points and third-place votes received one point. Voters selected picks for the following honors:
With the voting process in mind, here are the results from the 2023-24 NBA season!
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Winner: Nikola Jokic
It was essentially a runaway victory for Jokic, who was nearly a unanimous selection. Luka Doncic was the only other player to receive first-place votes.
When you look at the resume, it makes sense.
Jokic appeared in 79 of 82 games for Denver this season, posting averages of 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists for the Nuggets, who finished with a 57-25 record and the West’s No. 2 seed. Jokic recorded 25 triple-doubles and held down the title of the NBA’s best player without much of a challenge from anyone else.
At 29, Jokic is in the prime of his career. After leading Denver to a historic title in 2023, he has done enough to enter the realm of all-time conversations.
Here are the full voting results:
| Player | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | Points |
| 1. Nikola Jokic | 6 | 2 | 0 | 36 |
| 2. Luka Doncic | 2 | 3 | 2 | 21 |
| 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 0 | 3 | 5 | 14 |
| 4. Giannis Antetokounmpo | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
MORE: Why Nikola Jokic is SN’s NBA Player of the Year — again
The All-International Team was selected from a ballot of 46 players. Voters selected five members for the First Team and Second Team.
These teams are yet another reminder of the level of international talent around the NBA. Four of the five members of The Sporting News’ All-International First Team have a great chance to double as members of the All-NBA First Team. The other is the league’s reigning MVP.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, Canada was the most-represented country in the NBA. Also represented on the All-International Team is a pair of Frenchmen in Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama, as well as Kyrie Irving, who was born in Australia before moving to the United States.
MORE: TSN’s Steph Noh shares his expert All-NBA picks
Winner: Anthony Edwards
Edwards is on the precipice of superstardom and that is represented with his honor of the league’s Best Young Player.
This season, Edwards made a leap with averages of 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists to help lead Minnesota to the second-winningest season in franchise history. The most impressive part is that Edwards will not celebrate his 23rd birthday until August.
Among the other candidates is Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, who took the NBA by storm during his age-20 season. Whether or not you agree on Edwards or Wembanyama earning the nod, there’s no arguing that the league’s future is in great hands.
To be eligible for Best Young Player, players had to be 23 or younger on February 1 of this season.
| Player | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | Points |
| Anthony Edwards | 5 | 3 | 0 | 34 |
| Victor Wembanyama | 2 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| Zion Williamson | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Tyrese Maxey | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Paolo Banchero | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Winner: Rudy Gobert
It was a photo finish, but Gobert just edged Wembanyama by first-place votes. It’s a sign that the future is coming sooner than we may realize, though Gobert is still the league’s premier defender … for now.
Minnesota’s incredible season is largely a product of the team’s stingy defense and Gobert is the man anchoring it all. The Timberwolves’ 108.4 defensive rating ranked first in the NBA and Gobert was incredible, averaging 2.1 blocks per game while affecting many more shots around the rim.
After a rocky first year in Minnesota, Gobert settled into his role and excelled in It. He’ll look to use that defensive prowess to anchor a deep run in the postseason.
| Player | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | Points |
| 1. Rudy Gobert | 5 | 2 | 1 | 32 |
| 2. Victor Wembanyama | 3 | 4 | 1 | 28 |
| 3. Bam Adebayo | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 4. Anthony Davis | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
MORE: Expert All-Defensive Team picks from TSN’s Steph Noh
Winner: Victor Wembanyama
It was unanimous: Wembanyama was the best rookie in the game.
Any other year, Chet Holmgren or Brandon Miller would have put forth cases worthy of the honor, but Wembanyama somehow exceeded the lofty expectations he faced as a generational talent.
Despite a lack of team success, Wembanyama turned in one of the best rookie seasons in recent history, posting averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game.
He recorded two triple-doubles and showed signs that he may one day turn in a quadruple-double, either with his shot-blocking ability or his length and savvy instincts that result in steals.
This one was a no-brainer.
| Player | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | Points |
| Victor Wembanyama | 8 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Chet Holmgren | 0 | 8 | 0 | 24 |
| Brandon Miller | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
MORE: Victor Wembanyama can be this generation’s Wilt Chamberlain
Winner: Mark Daigneault
Two years ago, the Thunder were in full rebuild mode as they headed into the offseason with a 24-58 record. Two years later, the Thunder are gearing up for a deep playoff run after earning the West’s No. 1 seed with a 57-25 record.
They have Daigneault to thank for that.
One of the lone constants throughout the rebuilding process, Daigneault deserves credit for the development of OKC’s young stars and the X’s and O’s that have placed them in positions to succeed.
His coaching acumen has earned the adulation of LeBron James and JJ Redick, and the proof is in the results. The reason the Thunder’s potential is so exciting is because they have the right coach to help them reach it.
| Player | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | Points |
| Mark Daigneault | 6 | 2 | 0 | 36 |
| Chris Finch | 1 | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| Jamahl Mosley | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Joe Mazzulla | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| Tom Thibodeau | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Erik Spoelstra | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
