Season 2025 will forever remain golden for Bulgarian volleyball – not only because of the historic silver medal of the national team at the World Championship in the Philippines, but also because of an even more unique recognition received by the two leaders of this success.
Alex and Moni Nikolov – the brothers who led Bulgaria to its first World Championship medal in decades – were included in an extremely rare and prestigious American ranking.
A ranking where they are accompanied not by just anyone, but by NBA and NFL superstars like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, and Jameis Winston.
The unique list: freshmen who became No. 1 in all of America.
ESPN published a graphic featuring players who, in their first year in college sports, won the most prestigious individual award – National Player of the Year.
Across all NCAA sports, only nine freshmen in history have managed to do it.
And among them… two Bulgarians, two brothers, two silver medalists from the 2025 World Championship.
Why is this so significant?
Because this type of ranking is usually reserved for future global sports megastars:
Kevin Durant– a future NBA MVP
Anthony Davis– an NBA champion
Zion Williamson– a phenomenon compared to LeBron James
Paige Bueckers– one of the best female basketball players of the new generation
And nowAlex and Moni Nikolov are on the same list, who only months ago played as starters and leaders for Bulgaria in the World Championship final in the Philippines.
The Nikolov brothers "," the only two freshmen in volleyball history with this award
Alex Nikolov- 2022, Long Beach State
One of the most effective and dominant outside hitters in the NCAA.Moni Nikolov- 2025, Long Beach State
The setter who revolutionized the game "," leader in aces, leader in tempo, leader in game organization.
The two arethe only freshman brothers in the history of college volleyballto win this award.
And now already second in the world with the national team of Bulgaria.
Table: Freshmen who won "National Player of the Year"
| Name | Year | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 2007 | Basketball |
| Anthony Davis | 2012 | Basketball |
| Johnny Manziel | 2012 | Football |
| Jameis Winston | 2013 | Football |
| Zion Williamson | 2019 | Basketball |
| Paige Bueckers | 2021 | Basketball |
| Alex Nikolov | 2022 | Volleyball |
| Cooper Flagg | 2025 | Basketball |
| Moni Nikolov | 2025 | Volleyball |
Analysis of the numbers
Out of nine names on the listonly twoare from volleyball \u2013 and these arethe two Nikolov brothers.
Volleyball is represented solely by Bulgaria, while basketball and American football dominate almost every year.
This makes Alex and Moni's presence an exception that statistics can hardly explain – but talent can.
From NCAA to the world's peak
The uniqueness of the ranking would have been enough in itself.
But the most important thing is something else:
Two brothers, Bulgarians, joined this historic company in the year they also became silver medalists at the World Championship in the Philippines.
This is a plot that even American television rarely sees:
Two freshman phenomena → two NCAA No. 1 → two national team starters → World Championship final.
And all this, achieved in less than three years.
Conclusion
"The Nikolov Brothers in a Ranking with NBA Stars" is not just a sensational headline.
This is a fact that describes something unprecedented:
Bulgariaplaced two of its players in one of the most elite NCAA categories.
Brotherswho together led their country to silver medals at the 2025 World Cup.
Nameswho appear on a list where future NBA and NFL legends usually enter.
A story that is yet to be written — game after game and season after season.
