Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the 2024β25 NBA Most Valuable Player, marking a significant milestone in his career and for Canadian basketball.
π₯ Season Highlights
Scoring Leader: Averaged 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting.
All-Around Performance: Contributed 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Historic Efficiency: Joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block per game on 50% shooting in a season.
Team Success: Led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a franchise-best 68β14 record and the top seed in the Western Conference.
π MVP Voting Results
Gilgeous-Alexander secured 71 out of 100 first-place votes, surpassing Nikola JokiΔ and Giannis Antetokounmpo in a competitive race.
π¬ Emotional Acceptance Speech
During the MVP ceremony, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Hailey Summers, acknowledging her unwavering support throughout his journey. He also expressed gratitude to his teammates by gifting each a Rolex watch, fulfilling a promise made earlier in the season.
π¨π¦ A Canadian Trailblazer
At 26, Gilgeous-Alexander becomes only the second Canadian to win the NBA MVP award, following Steve Nash. His achievement continues the trend of international players excelling in the NBA.
π Looking Ahead
With the Thunder advancing to the Western Conference Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership will be pivotal as the team aims for its first NBA championship.