NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finally broke his silence after fans noticed Canadian rapper Drake had covered up his LeBron James tattoo with one honoring the Oklahoma City Thunder star.
The move stirred buzz across sports and music circles, especially given recent rumors of tension between Drake and LeBron James.
Drake, a long-time fan and friend of James, once proudly sported the Los Angeles Lakers star’s number tattooed on his arm. But fans spotted something new this summer: the tattoo had been replaced with an image of Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder jersey.
The timing raised eyebrows. It came shortly after viral clips showed James dancing at Kendrick Lamar’s concert to “Not Like Us,” the chart-topping diss track aimed squarely at Drake. The moment fueled speculation that the two superstars’ friendship had cooled and that the tattoo change might have been symbolic.
But for Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA champion and Finals MVP, the move was nothing more than a gesture between close friends.
“I understand why it might seem crazy that Drake tattooed me on his arm,” Gilgeous-Alexander told GQ in a recent interview. “But to me, that’s just the homie.”
When asked if there was deeper meaning behind Drake covering James’ tattoo, the Thunder guard simply replied, “Yeah, I don’t know about all that. I don’t ask questions.”
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2)
The 27-year-old superstar has become known not just for his dominance on the court, but for his calm, composed personality. Even amid social media speculation, Gileous-Alexander remains unfazed.
Meanwhile, Drake and Gilgeous-Alexander share more than friendship—they share national pride. Both hail from Canada and have proudly represented the country on global stages. Gilgeous-Alexander has become a symbol of Canadian basketball’s golden age, leading the Thunder to an NBA championship and steering Team Canada toward its Olympic dreams.
Their bond reportedly grew through mutual respect and shared identity as Canadian icons. Drake, who’s supported Toronto sports for years, has championed Canada’s rising basketball stars, including Gilgeous-Alexander.
While fans continue to debate the possible meaning of Drake’s tattoo decision, Gilgeous-Alexander’s perspective suggests there’s no hidden message, just mutual admiration.
“Drake’s always been supportive,” one of Shai’s associates told GQ. “They’ve known each other for years. There’s no weird energy there. Shai’s just focused on his next season.”
With his humble attitude, steady leadership, and MVP-level play, Gilgeous-Alexander continues to redefine what it means to be a modern NBA superstar; grace under pressure, on and off the court.