Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enjoyed a season for the ages during the 2024-25 NBA campaign. He led the Oklahoma City Thunder all the way to a championship, scooping up a Finals MVP in the process. In the regular season, his team had the best record, and SGA was both MVP and scoring champion.
The Canadian superstar is only 27 years old, which means his prime has just begun. Considering how incredibly talented this young Thunder team is, it looks like there’s a lot of success to come. And while some are still comparing Gilgeous-Alexander to stars like Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic, he seems to have moved beyond all that.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
“Nothing against the guys my age, but the guys I can’t wait to match up against are the LeBrons, the Steph Currys, the KDs, the James Hardens,” Gilgeous-Alexander said during an interview with GQ. “ The guys I grew up watching, that have completely stamped themselves on basketball forever, that have accomplished the things I want from the game. There’s no better test to see if I’m capable of accomplishing those things than going against those guys.”
Tatum is also a champion, while Doncic is a perennial MVP candidate and has made it to the NBA Finals. Beyond them, Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama will also feel like they are among the league’s best young players. SGA is at the mountaintop at the moment, but it might be too soon for him to take his eyes off of his most immediate rivals.
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