Career Timeline of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made an impact.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) is a Canadian professional basketball player currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. A three-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team selection, SGA reached the pinnacle of individual success by being named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2024-25 season. In that same season, he also led the Thunder to their first NBA championship since the team relocated to Oklahoma City, marking a significant achievement in his career and for the franchise.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2005: Steve Nash Wins MVP

In 2005, Steve Nash won the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the first time. This is mentioned as a comparison to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who later won the same award.

2006: Steve Nash Wins Second MVP

In 2006, Steve Nash won the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year. This is mentioned as a comparison to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who later won the same award.

2012: Thunder's Last NBA Finals Appearance

The text mentions that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.

2016: FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship and Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2016, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played for the Canadian junior national team in the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, winning a silver medal. Later that year, he joined the senior national team at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

April 9, 2018: Declared for NBA draft

On April 9, 2018, after playing college basketball for Kentucky Wildcats, Gilgeous-Alexander declared for the 2018 NBA draft.

June 21, 2018: Drafted by Charlotte Hornets and traded to Los Angeles Clippers

On June 21, 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA draft and then immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

December 17, 2018: Season-best 24 points vs Portland Trail Blazers

On December 17, 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-best 24 points in a 131–127 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

2018: NBA Draft and Trade

In 2018, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA draft, but was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on the same night.

January 18, 2019: Tied season best of 24 points vs Golden State Warriors

On January 18, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander tied his season best of 24 points in a 112–94 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

April 21, 2019: Career high of 25 points vs Golden State Warriors

On April 21, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a new career high of 25 points in a 113–105 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2019 playoffs.

July 10, 2019: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

On July 10, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Clippers.

October 8, 2019: Preseason debut with Oklahoma City Thunder

On October 8, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander made his preseason debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Dallas Mavericks, recording 24 points and four rebounds in a 119–104 win.

December 22, 2019: Career-high 32 points vs Los Angeles Clippers

On December 22, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a then career-high 32 points with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals in a 118–112 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

January 13, 2020: First NBA triple-double vs Minnesota Timberwolves

On January 13, 2020, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded his first NBA triple double with 20 points, 10 assists, and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 117–104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

July 2020: Endorsement Deal with Converse

In July 2020, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed an endorsement deal with Converse.

December 26, 2020: Game-winning shot vs Charlotte Hornets

On December 26, 2020, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and a game-winning jump shot in a 109–107 win against the Charlotte Hornets.

February 24, 2021: Career-high 42 points vs San Antonio Spurs

On February 24, 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a then career-high 42 points to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a 102–99 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

August 3, 2021: Rookie Extension with the Thunder

On August 3, 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder agreed to a five-year, $172 million rookie extension.

December 18, 2021: Game-winning three-pointer vs Los Angeles Clippers

On December 18, 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 18 points and made a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Thunder over his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, 104–103.

May 24, 2022: Commitment to Canadian National Team

On May 24, 2022, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was among the fourteen players who committed to play with the Canadian national team for three years, aiming to qualify for the Olympic basketball tournament.

November 8, 2023: Scores 43 Points vs Cleveland Cavaliers

On November 8, 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points in a 128-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2023: NBA All-Star and All-NBA First Team Selection

In 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander was named to his first NBA All-Star Game and was voted to the All-NBA First Team, finishing fourth in league scoring with 31.4 points per game.

2023: FIBA World Cup Bronze and Northern Star Award

In 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander won the bronze medal with the Canadian national team at the FIBA World Cup and was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team. He also received the Northern Star Award as Canadian athlete of the year.

2023: FIBA World Cup and Awards

In 2023, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Canadian team to a historic run at the FIBA World Cup, securing a berth at the 2024 Summer Olympics and winning a bronze medal. He was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team and received the Northern Star Award and the Lionel Conacher Award.

2023: Reebok Interested in Signing

In 2023, Shaquille O'Neal wanted to sign Gilgeous-Alexander over to Reebok at the end of the 2023-2024 season.

November 11, 2024: Career-High 45 Points Against Clippers

On November 11, 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a then-career-high 45 points, along with three rebounds, nine assists, five steals and two blocks in a 134–128 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

2024: First Canadian to Lead NBA in Scoring

In 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished the regular season as the first Canadian to lead the NBA in scoring and the third international player to achieve this feat.

2024: Qualification for 2024 Summer Olympics

In 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

2024: 2024 Summer Olympics

In 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played for Canada at the Summer Olympics in Paris. Despite a strong performance in the group stage, the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals by France. Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the tournament's All-Second Team.

2024: Creative Director for Converse

In 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander resigned with Converse and became Creative Director.

January 2, 2025: Thunder's 13th Straight Win

On January 2, 2025, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their 13th straight win, setting a new franchise record for most consecutive regular-season wins in the Oklahoma City era.

2025: NBA Finals MVP

In 2025, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA Finals MVP after leading Oklahoma City to victory against Indiana. He became the fourth player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, and a scoring title in the same season.