In what seems to be the season of the European renaissance in the NBA game, the league announced the three finalists for the Most Improved Player award.

Milwaukee Bucks hybrid forward/guard Giannis Antetokounmpo, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and Utah Jazz big dipper Rudy Gobert are the final trio from which one will come out the 2016-17 season winner.

Antetokounmpo sits as the outstanding favorite after being the only one to make the All-Star team while leading his team across all the five major statistical categories (first in NBA history) with 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game through 80 games played this season.

Jokic took the league by storm, not only bumping Jusuf Nurkic out of his starting center gig, but showcasing a rare passing ability that has made him one of the finest big man distributors in only his second season in the league. He averaged 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game with 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks to boot.

Gobert has quickly grown into one of the most feared defenders in the league, also one of the top choices up for selection for Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Stifle Tower is averaging a solid double-double of 14 points and 12.8 rebounds per game while leading the league with 2.6 blocks per contest.