The Rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: From Underdog to MVP Contender
Kosport Magazine – Apr 8, 2024
With 6:56 left in the third quarter of a seemingly routine game in early March, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder knocked down a jumper to give his team a comfortable 84-60 lead over Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder, led by their young Big Three of Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, were cruising towards another victory.
But then, in a matter of minutes, the game took an unexpected turn. The Suns, behind their own Big Three, launched a relentless comeback, erasing the Thunder’s lead and tying the game. It was the kind of game that young teams like the Thunder often lose.
But Gilgeous-Alexander, the 25-year-old MVP candidate, had other plans. With his team down by 5, he reentered the game and took over, leading the Thunder to an 18-5 run and securing a 118-110 win. This victory allowed the Thunder to remain atop the Western Conference standings, defying all expectations for the league’s second-youngest team.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey to becoming a contender in the NBA has been nothing short of improbable. From his humble beginnings in the Toronto suburb of Hamilton, Ontario, to his time at the University of Kentucky, and now in the NBA, he has always been determined to become the best basketball player in the world.
“It’s been the story of my life,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’ve always just gotten better.”
But his path to success was not without its challenges. He didn’t make his high school’s varsity team as a freshman, and he didn’t start until midway through his freshman season in college or as a rookie in the NBA. Even the Thunder didn’t expect him to be this good when they traded for him in 2019 as part of the deal that sent Paul George to the LA Clippers.
But this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has proven all doubters wrong. He has improved in every aspect of his game, from scoring (30.4 PPG, third in the NBA) to defense (a league-leading 2.1 steals per game). And in games like the one against the Suns, where he scored 11 of his game-high 35 points in the final six minutes, he has shown that he has what it takes to control and win games.
“It’s a mentality,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “The skill stuff I just hammer away at. But what makes a great player is how they carry that to the court. How they control fourth quarters and win games.”
He looks to players like LeBron James, who have mastered this mentality, for inspiration. But unlike James, who was anointed “The Chosen One” at the age of 15, Gilgeous-Alexander was never destined for greatness. He had to work for it.
But he always believed he would get there one day, thanks in part to his mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, who has been his biggest supporter and mentor.
“The player who has mentored Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the most, and made the most impact on him, is someone he played with for just 17 months,” ESPN senior writer Ramona Shelburne writes.
That person is none other than Chris Paul, who saw qualities and values in Gilgeous-Alexander that mirrored his own. The two became close during Paul’s one season with the Thunder, and he continues to mentor and support Gilgeous-Alexander even now that he has moved on to the Phoenix Suns.
But according to Paul, you cannot tell Gilgeous-Alexander’s story without talking to his mother.
“You cannot write this story without talking to his mom,” Paul said. “Hold on. I’ll call her.”
Charmaine Gilgeous, a former Olympic sprinter for Antigua and Barbuda, describes herself as “a sprinter” in mentality. She never ran anything over 400 meters, and she instilled this same determination and drive in her son.
“I never ran anything over 400 meters,” she said. ”But I’m referring to a mentality, not just my résumé.”
And this mentality has been passed down to her son, who has always been determined to improve and become the best. He may not have been destined for greatness, but he has worked tirelessly to achieve it.
And now, as he continues to defy expectations and lead the Thunder to success, it’s clear that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey is far from over. He may have started as an underdog, but he has proven himself to be a true MVP contender.
The Discipline and Vision of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
As a child, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mother, Charmaine, instilled in him the importance of discipline and vision. She would take him and his brother, Thomasi, to window-shop at the lavish Holt Renfrew store in Toronto, dreaming of the life they could have if they worked hard and stayed focused on their goals.
Charmaine, a single mother and social worker, had a few non-negotiables for her sons: prioritize homework, eat healthy, and always dress nicely. “I don’t play about how you look,” she said. “My kids could run amok in my house, but when they stepped out that door, you better, as we say, ‘fix up.’ You better get it together.”
This emphasis on appearance was about more than just vanity. It was about establishing routines, habits, and a vision for the future. “Dress for the life you want to have, not where you are,” Charmaine would tell her sons.
And this lesson has stuck with Gilgeous-Alexander throughout his journey to becoming one of the NBA’s rising stars. He has always dreamed of winning an MVP since he was just 6 years old, and he and his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, would stay up late talking about their NBA dreams.
The “Electric Moment” That Sealed the Deal
When Sam Presti, the Thunder’s general manager, saw Gilgeous-Alexander playing against Chris Paul during a practice in the 2019-2020 season, he had an “electric moment.” He knew he had found the next face of his franchise.
Presti, who had previously drafted and developed stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, recognized that creating the right environment for great players to thrive is just as important as identifying their potential. “A relationship can’t be built on appeasement,” he said. “You have to challenge and continually raise the bar.”
And that’s exactly what Presti and the Thunder did for Gilgeous-Alexander. They challenged him to step up and play at an MVP level, and he has risen to the occasion.
The Discipline and Vision in Action
When Thunder coach Mark Daigneault visited Gilgeous-Alexander in his hometown, he saw firsthand the discipline and vision that had been instilled in him by his mother. Each morning, Gilgeous-Alexander would text his friends to let them know when he would pick them up to play basketball. After that, they would lift kettlebells for hours, using whatever equipment they could find.
This routine, which Gilgeous-Alexander began in 2020, has helped him stay focused and disciplined, even during the challenges of the pandemic. And it has paid off on the court, as he continues to impress with his skills and leadership.
The Future is Bright
With his discipline, vision, and hard work, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven that he is on the path to becoming one of the NBA’s top players. And as he continues to grow and develop, the sky is the limit for this young star.
Summary:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mother instilled in him the importance of discipline and vision, which has helped him become one of the NBA’s rising stars. Thunder GM Sam Presti recognized his potential and challenged him to play at an MVP level. Gilgeous-Alexander’s daily routine, which he began in 2020, has helped him stay focused and disciplined, leading to his success on the court. With his hard work and determination, the future looks bright for this young star.
The Rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: From Obscurity to NBA Stardom
It’s a story that could easily be mistaken for a Hollywood script. A young boy from a small town in Canada, with a dream of playing in the NBA, works tirelessly to make that dream a reality. And now, at just 22 years old, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the most exciting and dominant players in the league.
But this isn’t a movie, it’s real life. And the rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a testament to hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.
After being drafted 11th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander quickly made a name for himself as a promising young talent. But it wasn’t until he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 that he truly began to shine.
And then, the unexpected happened. The NBA season was abruptly shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving players with no choice but to stay at home and wait for the league to resume.
But for Gilgeous-Alexander, this was just another opportunity to push himself even further. He used the time to focus on his training and nutrition, determined to come back stronger than ever.
And when the Thunder reconvened in the bubble in Orlando, Florida, in July, his teammates were stunned by his transformation. He was on a mission, and it showed on the court.
Assistant coach Mark Daigneault recalls the first time he saw Gilgeous-Alexander play after the break: “He had the ball a little bit more, and he wasn’t trying to fit in as much with those guys. He was just kind of rocking, and it was also on the heels of all that work. So the convergence of those two things … . Everybody recognized that maybe there’s another gear here.”
And that’s exactly what happened. Gilgeous-Alexander took his game to another level, becoming a force to be reckoned with on the court.
But this success didn’t come out of nowhere. Gilgeous-Alexander has always been a disciplined and focused individual, thanks in part to his upbringing. His mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, instilled in him the importance of routines and structure from a young age.
And it’s evident in every aspect of his life. From his neat handwriting to his fashion-forward style, Gilgeous-Alexander is a picture of discipline and order.
His teammates have also taken notice of his attention to detail, from his pregame routines to the red apple he eats before every game. But as his mother says, he’s not one to seek attention or praise. He simply knows his worth and doesn’t need validation from others.
Coach Daigneault sums it up perfectly: “None of it’s complicated. It’s the diligence and commitment with which he does it. That’s what makes it exceptional.”
And exceptional it is. Gilgeous-Alexander’s stats this season speak for themselves. He’s consistently scoring between 30 and 34 points per game, and leads the league in drives per game and isolation efficiency.
But despite all the attention and credit he’s receiving, Gilgeous-Alexander remains humble and focused on the future. He knows that success in the NBA is not guaranteed, and he’s determined to make the most of every opportunity.
As he puts it, “It’s like I’m addicted to the feeling of getting better. I’ve made it this far. I’ve worked this hard. And I can only do it for 10 more years, if I’m lucky. So why not, these next 10 years, give them my everything and see what I can be?”
The Rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A Story of Hard Work and Dedication
At just 22 years old, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the most exciting and dominant players in the NBA. But his journey to stardom was not an easy one.
After being drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander quickly made a name for himself. But it wasn’t until he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 that he truly began to shine.
And then, the unexpected happened. The NBA season was abruptly shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving players with no choice but to stay at home and wait for the league to resume.
But for Gilgeous-Alexander, this was just another opportunity to push himself even further. He used the time to focus on his training and nutrition, determined to come back stronger than ever.
And when the Thunder reconvened in the bubble in Orlando, Florida, in July, his teammates were stunned by his transformation. He was on a mission, and it showed on the court.
But this success didn’t come out of nowhere. Gilgeous-Alexander has always been a disciplined and focused individual, thanks in part to his upbringing. His mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, instilled in him the importance of routines and structure from a young age.
And it’s evident in every aspect of his life. From his neat handwriting to his fashion-forward style, Gilgeous-Alexander is a picture of discipline and order.
His teammates have also taken notice of his attention to detail, from his pregame routines to the red apple he eats before every game. But as his mother says, he’s not one to seek attention or praise. He simply knows his worth and doesn’t need validation from others.
And it’s this mentality that has propelled him to the top of the league. Gilgeous-Alexander’s stats this season speak for themselves. He’s consistently scoring between 30 and 34 points per game, and leads the league in drives per game and isolation efficiency.
But despite all the attention and credit he’s receiving, Gilgeous-Alexander remains humble and focused on the future. He knows that success in the NBA is not guaranteed, and he’s determined to make the most of every opportunity.
As he puts it, “It’s like I’m addicted to the feeling of getting better. I’ve made it this far. I’ve worked this hard. And I can only do it for 10 more years, if I’m lucky. So why not, these next 10 years, give them my everything and see what I can be?”
