Biography

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the greatest years ever by a Canadian basketball player in 2023, culminating in him becoming just the second basketball player to be named Canada’s Athlete of the Year (Northern Star Award) and Canadian Press Male Athlete of the Year (Lionel Conacher Award). 

He led Canada to a historic bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup where he was the first Canadian man named to the FIBA World Cup All-Star Five after ranking second in tournament scoring with 196 points. In three games, he recorded at least 30 points, including 31 in the bronze medal game against the United States as Canada won its first ever medal at the tournament. Gilgeous-Alexander, along with cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker, was among the players who committed to the national team in 2022 in the hopes of qualifying Canada for its first men’s Olympic basketball tournament since Sydney 2000. He suited up for Canada at the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers in 2022. Before that, he played for Canada at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, winning a silver medal.   

In his professional career, Gilgeous-Alexander was an All-NBA First Team selection after a spectacular 2022-23 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in which he ranked fourth in league scoring with 31.4 points per game and was fifth in MVP voting. He earned a second All-NBA First Team selection in 2023-24 and was an NBA All-Star Game starter for the first time. 

Gilgeous-Alexander had been selected 11^th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA Draft. He was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, for whom he made his NBA debut in October 2018. After being named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019, he was dealt to the Thunder in the off-season.  

Gilegous-Alexander played one season at the University of Kentucky, making the Sweet Sixteen at the 2018 NCAA Tournament. He led the Wildcats to the SEC Tournament title and was named tournament MVP. He was also named to the All-SEC Second Team and All-Freshman Team.