He’s the reigning MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, and could be a champion in several weeks, but just a few years ago, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder was only a young player attempting to push his team forward.
An old quote from Gilgeous-Alexander about his team is making the rounds online, and it shows how much faith he had in them, even when they weren’t proving much.
“I know what I signed up for when I signed a 5-year extension…and I don’t think we’re gonna be losing for much longer,” Gilgeous-Alexander said to SportsCenter in 2022.
SGA saw the future with the Thunder 🔮
In a 2022 interview, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shared some high expectations after signing a 5-year extension with Oklahoma City 🙌
(via @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/nqf3HdKM7R
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 29, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander spent his first season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers.
He showed a lot of promise during his rookie season, but wasn’t in LA for long.
Because of the monster Paul George trade, Gilgeous-Alexander packed his bags and headed to the Thunder, a team that didn’t have a lot of success at the time.
But even though they were toward the bottom of the NBA standings, Gilgeous-Alexander knew that brighter days were ahead.
He signed a five-year extension with the team, showing that he really did believe in their mission and potential.
Now, they are the best team in the West, and they could be crowned champions soon.
As for Gilgeous-Alexander, he has become one of the most talented and exciting stars in the league.
One of the most thrilling things about this team is that it could get even better in the years ahead.
They still hold a few powerful draft picks and could improve the roster, even if they become champions.
There was a time when Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the only people who believed in the Thunder, but now everyone is blown away by them.
NEXT: Jamal Crawford Sends Message To Thunder Coach On Social Media