Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Born 1998 · Age 27
Canadian professional basketball player (born 1998). Guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, 2025 NBA MVP, 2025 Finals MVP, 2025 NBA champion, three-time All-NBA First Team and three-time NBA All-Star. Played college basketball at Kentucky and entered the NBA in 2018.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Toronto, Ontario
Born in Toronto, Ontario; grew up in Hamilton. Mother Charmaine Gilgeous is a former Olympic 400m athlete.
First job: officiated elementary basketball
Worked as a referee for elementary school basketball as a teenager (first job).
Did not make junior high team; played midget squad
In grade 9 he didn't make St. Thomas More junior team, played on the midget squad, won team MVP and led St. Thomas More to the midget boys' city championship.
Transferred to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (TN)
Moved from Canada to Chattanooga, Tennessee to attend Hamilton Heights Christian Academy for junior and senior years to face stronger competition and improve his basketball prospects.
Originally committed to Florida (HS recruit)
As a four-star recruit he originally committed to the University of Florida while in high school.
FIBA Americas U18 Championship (silver)
Played for Canadian U18 team at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile, averaged 7.8 PPG and 5.4 APG en route to a silver medal.
Participated in Basketball Without Borders camp
Attended the Basketball Without Borders camp (early 2016) as a prospect on the international stage.
Named MVP of Kentucky Derby Classic (high school event)
Won MVP honors at the Kentucky Derby Classic (high-school all-star event).
Reopened college recruitment
Re-opened his recruitment in October 2016, considering several major programs.
Committed to Kentucky
Announced his decision to play collegiate basketball at the University of Kentucky.
Freshman season at Kentucky (2017–18)
Played for Kentucky, averaging 14.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.1 RPG, earning SEC Tournament MVP and All-SEC honors.
Nike Hoop Summit - World Select Team
Represented the World Select Team at the 2017 Nike Hoop Summit and scored 11 points in 21 minutes.
Became starter for Kentucky
Moved into the starting lineup (notably starting Jan. 9 vs Texas A&M) and increased his role during the season.
SEC Freshman of the Week
Named SEC Freshman of the Week on Jan. 15 after a strong stretch of games.
SEC Tournament MVP
Named the Most Valuable Player of the 2018 SEC Tournament after strong postseason play for Kentucky.
Declared for 2018 NBA draft
Announced he would forgo remaining college eligibility and enter the NBA draft.
Drafted 11th overall (2018 NBA draft)
Selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night.
2018 NBA Summer League breakout
Played in the 2018 Summer League, averaging roughly 19 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4 APG and 2.3 SPG.
Season-high 24 points (rookie year)
Scored a season-best 24 points in a 131–127 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Matched season-high 24 points
Tied his season-best of 24 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Named to 2019 Rising Stars World Team
Selected as a member of the World Team (representing Canada) for the 2019 NBA Rising Stars Challenge.
Named to NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Earned All-Rookie Second Team honors for the 2018–19 NBA season.
Playoff career-high 25 points
Dropped a then-career playoff high 25 points in Game 4 of the 2019 playoffs vs the Golden State Warriors.
Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
Traded by the Clippers to the Thunder (part of the Paul George trade that sent George to LA).
Preseason debut for Thunder (24 points)
Scored 24 points and had 4 rebounds in his Oklahoma City preseason debut vs Dallas.
Then-career-high 32 points
Recorded a then-career-high 32 points, 5 assists in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Historic 20–20–10 triple-double
Recorded 20 points, 10 assists and a career-high 20 rebounds — the second 20–20–10 in 30 years and youngest to do it.
Signed endorsement deal with Converse
Signed an endorsement agreement with Converse (July 2020).
Game-winning jump shot vs Hornets
Hit a game-winning jumper to lift the Thunder to a 109–107 victory over Charlotte.
Then-career-high 42 points
Scored a then career-high 42 points in a 102–99 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Season-ending plantar fascia tear
After 35 games, his 2020–21 season ended due to a tear in his plantar fascia.
Signed five-year, $172M rookie extension
Agreed to a five-year rookie-scale contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder worth $172 million.
Buzzer-beating game-winner vs Clippers
Hit a game-winning three at the buzzer to defeat his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, 104–103.
Recorded second career triple-double
Notched a triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in a victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Named Western Conference Player of the Week (Week 10)
Earned his first NBA Player of the Week award after leading OKC to a 3–1 week.
Ruled out for remainder of season (ankle)
Sidelined for the rest of the 2021–22 season due to an ankle injury.
Committed to Canadian national team (3-year)
One of 14 players who agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior national team (May 24, 2022).
Named Western Conference Player of the Week (Week 2)
Earned his second career NBA Player of the Week award after a 3–0 week to start the 2022–23 season.
Tied career-high 42 with game-winning three
Scored 42 points and hit a game-winning stepback three to give OKC a 121–120 win over Washington.
Buzzer-beater to beat Portland
Hit a buzzer-beating game-winner to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing with 35 points.
Averaged 31.4 PPG; All-NBA First Team; historic season
Finished the 2022–23 season averaging a career-high 31.4 PPG, was named to the All-NBA First Team and finished high in MVP consideration.
Northern Star Award and Lionel Conacher Award
Received Canada's Northern Star Award (Canadian athlete of the year) and the Lionel Conacher Award (Canadian Press male athlete of the year) for 2023.
Named first NBA All-Star (reserve)
Selected to his first NBA All-Star Game as a Western Conference reserve.
Scored 44 points (career-high at time)
Scored 44 points on 13-of-16 shooting with 18-of-19 from the free throw line vs Portland.
Purchased Burlington lakefront property; filed lawsuit
Purchased a lakefront property in Burlington, Ontario in spring 2023, moved out due to security concerns, filed suit alleging nondisclosure of property threats/links to a bankrupt crypto trader.
Finished 5th in MVP voting
Placed fifth in the 2023 NBA MVP voting.
Bronze medal at 2023 FIBA World Cup; All-Tournament Team
Led Canada to its first-ever FIBA World Cup medal (bronze) and was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team.
Canada qualifies for 2024 Olympics at FIBA World Cup
Helped Canada qualify for the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament by reaching the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals (secured Olympic berth).
Scored 43 points vs Cavaliers
Dropped 43 points on 15-of-22 shooting in a 128–120 win over Cleveland.
Recorded career-high seven steals (game)
Tallied 28 points and a career-high seven steals in a win over the San Antonio Spurs; set a Thunder consecutive 25+ point games streak record.
40 points in overtime vs Warriors
Recorded 40 points, seven rebounds, six assists in an overtime 130–123 win over Golden State.
Buzzer-beating mid-range winner vs Nuggets
Hit the game-winning mid-range jumper with 0.9 seconds left in a 118–117 win over Denver.
Re-signed with Converse and became Creative Director
Re-signed with Converse and took on a Creative Director role with the brand (reported after the 2023–24 season).
Named to Canada's 2024 Olympic roster; Paris performance
Named to Canada's roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris; after group stage success, Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals by hosts France. Gilgeous-Alexander made the All-Second Team.
Won lawsuit and reversed Burlington property purchase
Successfully won the suit to undo the Burlington property purchase; the seller's appeal was denied.
Named NBA Player of the Month (Nov & Dec 2024)
Captured back-to-back NBA Player of the Month honors for November and December 2024 after leading the league in scoring and dominant play.
Named 2024 All-Star starter (Western Conference)
Selected as a starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game—the first time he was a starter.
Married longtime girlfriend Hailey Summers
Married his longtime partner Hailey Summers (married in February 2024).
Broke Thunder single-season 30-point game record (48th)
Recorded his 48th 30-point game of the season, surpassing Kevin Durant's franchise single-season mark of 47.
Birth of first child
Welcomed his first child in April 2024.
Helped Thunder sweep Pelicans (2024 playoffs)
Contributed to a four-game sweep of New Orleans to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Finished 2nd in 2023–24 MVP voting and All-NBA First Team
Ended the 2023–24 season as the runner-up in the MVP race and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the second straight season.
Playoff career-high 36 in Game 6 loss
Scored a playoff career-high 36 points (with eight assists, two blocks, and zero turnovers) in the Thunder's Game 6 loss to the Mavericks that ended the Thunder's 2024 playoff run.
Then-career-high 45 points vs Clippers
Scored a then-career-high 45 points, along with multi-category contributions, in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 11, 2024.
Tied career-high 45 points vs Pacers
Tallied 45 points (15-of-22 FG, 11-of-11 FT) in a win over the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 26, 2024.
Led NBA in scoring; first Canadian scoring leader
Finished the 2024–25 regular season as the NBA scoring champion, averaging 32.7 PPG; first Canadian to lead the league in scoring.
Career cumulative salary indicator (reported)
By 2025 reports indicate career NBA earnings of at least ~$117 million in salary; 2025 salary reported at $35,859,950 for the year.
Joined elite group: MVP + Finals MVP + scoring title in same season
Became just the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, and the scoring title in the same season.
Won 2024–25 NBA Most Valuable Player
Named NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2024–25 season, becoming the second Canadian to win the award after Steve Nash.
Set OKC franchise consecutive wins record (13)
Led the Thunder to their 13th straight regular-season win, the most in the franchise's Oklahoma City era.
Franchise-record 15th straight win
Powered a franchise-record 15th consecutive regular-season win (franchise record dating to Seattle SuperSonics era).
Career-high 54 points
Recorded a career-high 54 points with additional counting stats in a win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 22, 2025.
Named 2025 All-Star starter (Western Conference)
Selected as a starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game—his third consecutive All-Star selection and second straight as a starter.
Scored 52 points vs Warriors
Notched 52 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 29, 2025.
50-point game vs Suns (Feb 5, 2025)
Scored 50 points, with eight rebounds and five assists, becoming the ninth player to score 50 three times in a seven-game span.
Scored 51 points (Mar 3, 2025)
Collected 51 points, seven assists and five rebounds in a win over the Houston Rockets — fourth 50+ game of the season.
Fastest in Thunder history to 10,000 career points
Reached 10,000 career points in 368 games, surpassing Kevin Durant's Oklahoma City-era mark of 381 games.
Surpassed Durant for consecutive 20-point games (65)
Recorded his 65th consecutive 20-point game, surpassing Kevin Durant's Thunder-era record of 64.
Playoff career-high 38 (First-round clincher)
Scored a playoff career-high 38 points in Game 4 to complete a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Western Conference Finals MVP (unanimous)
Named unanimous winner of the Western Conference Finals MVP after leading OKC to its first Finals appearance since 2012.
Recorded multiple 30+ games in Finals; set playoff records
During the 2025 postseason, set records for most 30-point/5-assist games in a single playoff run and had 15+ 30-point games in the postseason (one of four players historically).
Won 2025 NBA Championship; named Finals MVP
Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games to win the 2025 NBA Finals; Gilgeous-Alexander was named Finals MVP.
NBA Finals debut 38 points (Game 1)
Scored 38 points in his NBA Finals debut (Game 1), the third-most in a Finals debut in history.
Signed four-year, $285M extension with Thunder
Agreed to a record four-year, $285 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 1, 2025.
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