| 𝗩𝗶𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲
Despite the accusations of being an extreme "foul baiter," earning the nickname "Free Throw Merchant," and being the "worst Most Valuable Player (MVP)" in years, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped off his first NBA title with a treble of achievements, becoming the first player in National Basketball Association (NBA) history to win the Regular Season MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, and Finals MVP in a single season, silencing his critics and solidifying his poise as not just the face of the league but a global icon in the basketball world.
Born in Toronto and raised in Hamilton, Canada, to parents who were both former athletes, the 6-foot-6 guard started playing organized basketball at the age of 10. Even though his parents separated, both played a crucial role in raising their children with high standards. His mother, a former Olympian, inspired Shai and his brother to develop a strong work ethic and a heart full of humility. Meanwhile, their father, a former Toronto city champion in high school basketball, instilled in them a deep love for the game.
After being cut from his junior high school team, SGA bounced back and became a standout player at Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School. In pursuit of his NBA dream, Shai transferred to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, a basketball-prep powerhouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, he averaged 18.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds before graduating two years later.
The heavily recruited four-star prospect committed to the University of Kentucky, where he averaged 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists as a starter. After falling short in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Sweet 16 against Kansas State and spending just one season in college, he declared for the 2018 NBA Draft. Shai was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets but was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night.
Described as a long and athletic guard by ESPN, he averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in his rookie season while playing 26.5 minutes per game, finishing 6th in Rookie of the Year voting. After just one season with the Clippers, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder along with five first-round picks, two pick swaps, and Danilo Gallinari in exchange for superstar Paul George.
The move proved to be pivotal for his career. Gilgeous-Alexander steadily increased his scoring over the next few seasons, averaging 19.0 points per game in 2019–2020, followed by around 24 points per game over the next two years. In the 2022–2023 season, he truly showcased his prowess, averaging 31.4 points per game, the fourth-highest in the league, silencing critics. With his dominant play, the Canadian guard became a legitimate threat to every team's championship hopes.
His momentum continued into the 2023–24 season, where he averaged 30.1 points per game, third in the league, and tied for the most steals with 150. The Thunder returned to the playoffs after a three-year absence and stormed into the Conference Semifinals, where they lost to the Luka Dončić-led Dallas Mavericks. SGA fell short in the MVP race to defending Finals MVP Nikola Jokić, giving rise to a fierce new rivalry.
Refusing to back down, SGA led OKC to the top of the Western Conference, finishing with a 68–14 record. He won the Regular Season MVP award with a career-high average of 32.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists, edging out Jokić in a heated season-long battle. With grit and brilliance, the Thunder pushed past every opponent, ultimately defeating the Anthony Edwards-led Timberwolves in a gentleman's sweep to advance to their first NBA Finals since the 2011–2012 Westbrook-Durant era. Shai was named Western Conference Finals MVP, another piece of history.
When many expected the Pascal Siakam–Tyrese Haliburton duo to upset OKC, Shai delivered a masterclass, dropping 29 points, pulling down 12 rebounds, and dishing 5 assists to clinch OKC’s first NBA title since relocating. His Finals performance earned him Finals MVP honors, making him the first player in NBA history to win the Regular Season MVP, Conference Finals MVP, and Finals MVP in a single season.
Adding to an already illustrious six-year career, SGA now boasts three All-Star selections, three All-NBA selections, a scoring title, and an All-Rookie Second Team selection.
As basketball continues to globalize, Shai hasn't failed the basketball gods. He led Canada to a historic bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, upsetting the world No. 1 United States team. Despite an early exit in the Paris Olympics, SGA showed the world that Canada can compete at the highest level of basketball.
Which leaves us all with one question: Is this the advent of Canadian basketball glory?
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