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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as SGA, is a Canadian basketball player. He plays point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. Gilgeous-Alexander was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in nearby Hamilton. He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he had a breakout season in 2017–18, averaging over 30 minutes per game. He then went on to be drafted into the NBA, where he has since become a star player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander |
| Nickname | Shai or SGA |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Team | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Awards | Northern Star Award (2023), Magic Johnson Western Conference MVP |
| Siblings | Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander (brother) |
| Cousins | Nickeil Alexander-Walker |
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What You'll Learn
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's career
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known by his initials SGA, is a Canadian professional basketball player. Born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Hamilton, Gilgeous-Alexander began playing basketball at a young age, coached by his father, Vaughn Alexander, a former high school basketball player.
In 2016, Gilgeous-Alexander participated in the Basketball Without Borders Camp and was a four-star recruit by ESPN. He initially committed to Florida but later chose to play college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he started as a reserve. During his time at Kentucky, Gilgeous-Alexander's performance improved, and he became a starter alongside four other freshmen. Despite some losses, his points per game (PPG) increased significantly, and he had a successful SEC tournament.
Following his rookie year, Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA draft and was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. In 2019, he was traded again, this time to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he continued to excel. On December 22, 2019, he scored a then-career-high 32 points, and on January 13, 2020, he recorded his first NBA triple-double. In the 2020-21 season, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a new career-high 42 points.
Gilgeous-Alexander continued his impressive form into the 2024-25 season, leading the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. He was named the NBA Most Valuable Player, averaging 32.7 points per game. In February 2023, he was selected for his first NBA All-Star Game, and he ended the season with a career-high 31.4 points per game average, joining an elite group of players in Thunder history. In addition to his NBA career, Gilgeous-Alexander represented the Canadian national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and receiving the Northern Star Award as Canadian Athlete of the Year.
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SGA's family of athletes
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as SGA, is a Canadian basketball player who was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2025. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in Hamilton. Both of his parents were athletes. His mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, was a sprinter who competed in the 400-metre event for Antigua and Barbuda at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. His father, Vaughn Alexander, played basketball in high school, winning a Toronto city championship while attending Georges Vanier Secondary School in the early 1990s. Gilgeous-Alexander's father also coached him during his youth.
Gilgeous-Alexander's younger brother, Thomasi, played college basketball for the Evansville Purple Aces and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. His younger cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, plays in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Alexander-Walker and Gilgeous-Alexander shared a close relationship and even shared a room at high school coach Zach Ferrell's house.
In 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander won a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup as part of the Canadian national team. He was also named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team and received the Northern Star Award as Canadian athlete of the year. He played one season with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019.
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SGA's college basketball
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) is a Canadian basketball player who has represented the country in the national team. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in nearby Hamilton. His mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, is a former track athlete, and his father, Vaughn Alexander, played high school basketball, winning a Toronto city championship. SGA's father also coached him during his youth.
SGA played college basketball for the University of Kentucky, where he was named the most valuable player of the Kentucky Derby Classic. He started the 2017-18 season as a reserve, sitting behind freshman point guard Quade Green, but still averaged over 30 minutes per game. After a loss to UCLA, he recorded 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals against Louisville in December. SGA led a "struggling" UK team that had a four-game losing streak during the season. He became a starter alongside four other freshmen: Hamidou Diallo, Nick Richards, Kevin Knox II, and P. J. Washington. Despite their losses, his PPG shot up to 12.9, along with 3.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists. SGA had a great SEC tournament and continued that momentum into the NCAA Tournament, playing well in the first two rounds against Davidson and Buffalo. However, Kentucky lost to Kansas State in the Sweet 16, with SGA's final college basketball moment being a missed three-point attempt at the buzzer.
SGA's younger brother, Thomasi, also played college basketball for the Evansville Purple Aces and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. SGA himself has gone on to have a successful career in the NBA, playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder and receiving numerous accolades, including being named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team and receiving the Northern Star Award as Canadian athlete of the year in 2023.
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SGA's NBA career
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, more commonly known by his initials SGA in NBA circles, is a Canadian basketball player. He plays as a point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder. SGA started his college basketball career at the University of Kentucky, where he played for one season (2017-2018). He was a starter alongside four other freshmen: Hamidou Diallo, Nick Richards, Kevin Knox II, and P. J. Washington. Despite their team's struggles, SGA impressed with averages of 12.9 PPG, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
SGA's performance in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments further solidified his reputation as a talented young player. Although Kentucky lost in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament, SGA's final college basketball moment was a near-miss three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Following his successful freshman year, SGA declared for the NBA draft in 2018 and was selected as the 11th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a larger deal that sent Kemba Walker to Charlotte. SGA spent his rookie season with the Clippers, averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game.
In the 2019 off-season, SGA was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he currently plays. He has continued to develop and improve his game with the Thunder, becoming a key player for the team. In 2023, SGA led the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012. He was named the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP, showcasing his talent on the biggest stage.
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SGA's endorsements
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known by his initials SGA, is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a three-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team member. In the 2024–25 NBA season, Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA Most Valuable Player.
In July 2020, SGA signed an endorsement deal with Converse. Outside of basketball, SGA has also shown an interest in the real estate market. In spring 2023, he purchased a lakefront property in Burlington, Ontario. However, he moved out within days due to security concerns and later filed a lawsuit to reverse the purchase.
SGA has also received several awards and honours throughout his career. With the Canadian national team, he won the bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team. In 2023, he was also given the Northern Star Award as Canadian athlete of the year, only the second basketball player to receive this honour.
In addition to his successful basketball career, SGA comes from a family with a strong athletic background. His mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, is a former track athlete who competed in the women's 400 metres for Antigua and Barbuda at the 1992 Summer Olympics. His father, Vaughn Alexander, played high school basketball and won a Toronto city championship in the early 1990s. SGA's younger brother, Thomasi, played college basketball for the Evansville Purple Aces and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. His younger cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, is also an NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Frequently asked questions
SGA is the nickname of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a player for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
SGA is derived from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's initials, which are far easier to say than his full name, Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the most valuable player of the Kentucky Derby Classic. He has also represented the World Select Team at the Nike Hoop Summit and played college basketball at the University of Kentucky. In 2023, he won a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup with the Canadian national team and was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team.
