Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is one of the most impressive players in the NBA right now, a reigning champion and MVP.
He may have a place in the Hall of Fame someday, but which past NBA icons is he most like?
According to Lou Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander is similar to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
“He’s more Kobe. I know everyone is gonna fight that… [Shai] has that type of temperament game. He’s gonna get to his spot and do what he wants to do,” Williams said, via ClutchPoints.
“He’s more Kobe. I know everyone is gonna fight that… [Shai] has that type of temperament game. He’s gonna get to his spot and do what he wants to do.”
Lou Williams compares Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game to Kobe Bryant’s 👀
(via @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/mYKG3rZrf1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 8, 2025
It’s Gilgeous-Alexander’s commitment to his playing that makes him most like Bryant, according to Williams.
No matter what other teams throw at him, he will find a way to fight past them, weave through traffic, and get to his spot.
And once he’s there, he is very hard to slow down or block.
Gilgeous-Alexander is known for his speed, his handles, and his shooting.
All of that was on clear display during his team’s recent run through the playoffs and all the way to a championship.
Now, next season will be even bigger than the last.
The Thunder are the champs, which means that everyone wants to take them down.
Meanwhile, OKC is eager to show they can do it again, and their desire is to win back-to-back titles.
Bryant did that in the past, and if Gilgeous-Alexander is able to achieve the same goal, more people will compare the two.
He has already achieved so much, but Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to do even more in 2025-26.
NEXT: Wild Stat Emerges About Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Contract