Giannis Antetokounmpo has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on greatness. The two-time MVP and 2021 NBA champion recently gave his own updated list of the five best players in the world today, and unsurprisingly, he put himself right in the mix. In an interview with Sport24:
“The top five players I think are Luka, Jokic, SGA, Tatum, and me. And it depends on the year you’re having. So if I, let’s say, this year go back and I’m improved and I help my team win the East and we go to the finals and we play against whatever team is there, I automatically become the best player in the world.”
“But if Luka does it, he becomes the best player in the world. If Jokic does it, he’s the best player in the world.”
It’s an honest and refreshing take from Giannis, who sees the “best player alive” label not as a permanent crown but a seasonal prize earned through dominance and team success.
There’s no debate about Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being on this list. Jokic, a three-time MVP and 2023 Finals MVP, has redefined what it means to be a center in the modern NBA. His scoring, playmaking, and consistency make him arguably the most unstoppable offensive weapon in basketball.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has rapidly ascended into superstardom, capped by winning his first championship, Finals MVP, and league MVP in 2025. His ability to score efficiently, control pace, and defend at a high level has made him the face of Oklahoma City’s rise and a consensus top-five player.
And of course, Giannis himself still belongs. Even as injuries have slowed him at times, he remains one of the most dominant forces in the league, capable of single-handedly altering the direction of a playoff series with his defense, rebounding, and relentless rim pressure.
Luka Doncic might raise eyebrows for some, given his inconsistent 2024-25 season, which included a blockbuster trade to the Lakers. But his sheer talent keeps him in the conversation.
Luka is still one of the most gifted offensive players the league has ever seen, capable of 35-point triple-doubles on any night. If he meshes with LeBron James and delivers deep into the playoffs, his place in the top five will feel untouchable.
Jayson Tatum would also be an undisputed selection if not for his Achilles injury that could sideline him for the entire 2025-26 season. At full strength, he’s been a First-Team All-NBA fixture and the best two-way forward in basketball. Without him, however, the door opens for someone else to sneak into the top tier.
Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards are the most obvious candidates to push into Giannis’ top five. Wembanyama is already a generational defender and budding offensive star, while Edwards’ blend of athleticism, scoring, and confidence makes him a natural heir to superstardom.
There’s also the possibility of a resurgence from the old guard. Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, or even Anthony Davis could climb back into that conversation if they put together spectacular individual seasons coupled with a deep playoff run.
Giannis’ list might not be set in stone, but that’s the point. The “best player in the world” title shifts year by year, and he’s still right in the middle of the debate.
