Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is a Canadian professional basketball player born on 12 July 1998. He plays as the number two guard for the NBA team Oklahoma City Thunder. His height is recorded as 1.98 m (6'6") and his weight as 88 kg (195 lb). The abbreviation “SGA” has become his widely used nickname.

^{Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (AA)}

Gilgeous-Alexander was born in Toronto, Ontario. His father is Vaughn Alexander and his mother is Charmaine Gilgeous. His mother is a former athlete who represented Antigua and Barbuda and competed in the 400 metres at the 1992 Olympic Games. During his childhood in Toronto, he developed an early exposure to NBA basketball and refined his fundamental training routine at home, especially through sessions with his father. At age ten, he moved to Hamilton, Ontario, where he joined the local program UPLAY Canada. From an early age, he underwent a focused learning and repetition process centered particularly on the “ball screen” play.

His years with UPLAY Canada formed a continuous foundation for his development. Through this program, he established a long-term coaching relationship with Dwayne Washington, whose training methodology combined video analysis with on-court repetitions. During the same period, competition within his family circle became evident: he regularly played one-on-one games with his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker during childhood and adolescence, creating a structure of consistent rivalry bound by close kinship.

The conclusion of his high school career is associated with Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. During this time, he attended the same institution as Nickeil Alexander-Walker and even shared the same living environment. His role on the court evolved over time; initially recognized as a pass-oriented guard, by his senior year his scoring average surpassed 20 points per game and he expanded his offensive repertoire. He had previously committed to a university in Florida, but in October 2016 he reopened his recruitment process and ultimately committed to Kentucky after receiving an offer from the program.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s collegiate education and NCAA career were with Kentucky. During the early part of the season, he primarily played a bench role; after 15 games, he earned a starting position and maintained it for the remainder of the season. His training routine at Kentucky emphasized facility access, court drills, weight room work, and film study, with video review even extending to post-game travel.

His single season at Kentucky was marked by individual accolades, notably being named SEC Tournament MVP. During the tournament, he averaged 21 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 55.3%. Following this performance, his draft projection rose from the late 20s into the lottery range.

Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. The selection was made by the Charlotte Hornets, but on the same night he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, beginning his NBA career in their uniform. This selection is recorded in NBA player profiles as “2018 R1 Pick 11”.

His first NBA season was spent with the Los Angeles Clippers. He began the season in a limited role but was promoted to the starting lineup after nine games, a change that became permanent. During the same season, he played his first professional game in Toronto, the country of his birth, against the Raptors; his family and friends filled the stands.

On 10 July 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The trade included Danilo Gallinari and multiple first-round draft picks going to the Clippers, while Paul George moved to Los Angeles and additional draft assets were included in the package. Since 2019, his club affiliation has been primarily with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Although Gilgeous-Alexander is listed as a guard, he plays both point guard and shooting guard positions. In the 2025–26 season, NBA statistics show he averaged 32.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been selected to the All-NBA Team three times, named to the All-Rookie Team once, and selected as an NBA All-Star three times. He has also won an NBA championship, and received the NBA Cup All-Tournament Team, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and NBA Most Valuable Player awards.

Looking at the annual distribution of his achievements, in 2025 he won both the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the regular season and the Finals Most Valuable Player award. He was selected to the All-NBA First Team for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In 2025, he earned the title of Most Valuable Player of the Western Conference Finals. In his rookie season, he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. He was selected to the NBA Cup All-Tournament Team in both 2025 and 2026.

In terms of team achievements and statistical leadership, in 2025 he won the NBA championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the 2024–25 season, he led the league in total points with 2,484 and also led in scoring average with 32.7 points per game.

On 23 December 2025, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 20 or more points in his 100th consecutive game, becoming only the second player in NBA history to reach this milestone after Wilt Chamberlain. The record was set during a 119–103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

In a game where the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 122–101, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points in just 29 minutes of play, setting a new NBA record for the most games in a single season with 30 or more points while playing under 30 minutes. The previous record holder was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who achieved this feat nine times during the 2019–20 season.

In that same game, Gilgeous-Alexander made 13 of 24 field goal attempts and hit 2 of 6 three-pointers. He also contributed 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks.