Who is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian professional basketball player and All-NBA guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, drafted 11th overall in 2018 and quickly recognized as one of the league’s premier perimeter talents.[6] Standing 6-foot-6, he brings rare size to the guard position, using his length and poise to control tempo on both ends of the floor.[6][1]
Known for his smooth handle, patient drives and advanced mid-range game, he has developed from a promising young guard into a bona fide franchise star. As the focal point of the Thunder, he leads them in scoring and playmaking while taking on tough defensive assignments in the backcourt.[6][3]
Recent seasons and MVP-level production
In the 2024–25 NBA season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged approximately 32.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds across 76 games, earning his third All-Star nod and cementing his status among the league’s offensive elite.[4][2] Those numbers placed him near the very top of the league in scoring while maintaining strong efficiency and playmaking volume.
He has carried that dominance into the following season, posting around 32.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game for Oklahoma City while shooting well above 50 percent from the field.[6][1] This blend of scoring efficiency, playmaking and durability has kept him heavily involved in MVP discussions and pushed the Thunder to the upper tier of the Western Conference standings.[1]
Impact on the Thunder and modern guard play
Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise has been central to the Thunder’s transition from a rebuilding team into a contender built around his prime years. As his usage and production have increased, Oklahoma City’s win totals and playoff aspirations have grown, with his clutch scoring and late-game decision-making anchoring one of the league’s most dynamic young cores.[1][2]
His style of play also reflects a new archetype for modern NBA guards, emphasizing craft, angles and change-of-pace over pure explosiveness. By combining an elite in-between game, rim pressure, three-level scoring and defensive playmaking, he has become both a template and a measuring stick for emerging star guards across the league.[3][4]