Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. Born on July 12, 1998, in Toronto, Ontario, he began playing basketball at age 10, inspired by his mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, a former Olympic sprinter . Gilgeous-Alexander played one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected 11th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, who traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers that same night. He was traded to the Thunder in 2019, where he quickly became the franchise cornerstone .

Known for his deceptive footwork, elusive head fakes, and ability to score at the rim, Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the NBA’s leading scorers. In the 2024–25 season, he led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, won the NBA MVP award, and earned Finals MVP honors as he led the Thunder to their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City .

Among his notable quotes is, "You can only take it a day at a time, try to get better every single day in whatever area you want to, and then it'll work itself out over time." This reflects his commitment to continuous improvement and focus on the present moment. Another insightful remark is, "I just work hard, keep my head down and be true to who I am." These statements highlight his dedication to personal growth and authenticity.