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. After playing college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, he was drafted 11th overall in 2018 by the Charlotte Hornets but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He has since become a prominent player in the league, earning three NBA All-Star selections and being named to the All-NBA First Team twice. He is known for his scoring ability and all-around game.

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

1996: Previous Team Record Set by Seattle SuperSonics

In 1996, the Seattle SuperSonics set the previous franchise record for consecutive regular-season wins, before the Oklahoma City Thunder broke the record on January 5, 2025.

2013: First seed since 2013

In 2024, behind Gilgeous-Alexander's play, the Thunder won 57 games and entered the 2024 NBA playoffs as the Western Conference's first seed, for the first time since 2013.

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

In 2016, Gilgeous-Alexander played for the Canadian junior national team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile, and later joined the senior national team at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila.

2016: First Western Conference Semifinals since 2016

In the 2024 playoffs, the Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals, the franchise's first since 2016.

April 9, 2018: Declared for the 2018 NBA draft

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

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

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

2018: Drafted into NBA

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

April 21, 2019: Career High 25 Points in Playoffs

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

July 10, 2019: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

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

July 2019: Traded to the Thunder

In July 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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, scoring 24 points.

December 22, 2019: Career-High 32 Points vs Los Angeles Clippers

On December 22, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a then career-high 32 points in a 118–112 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

January 13, 2020: First NBA Triple-Double

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

July 2020: Endorsement Deal with Converse

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

February 24, 2021: Career-High 42 Points vs San Antonio Spurs

On February 24, 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a then career-high 42 points in a 102–99 win against the San Antonio Spurs.

August 3, 2021: Rookie Extension

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

March 28, 2022: Ruled Out for the Rest of the Season with Ankle Injury

On March 28, 2022, Gilgeous-Alexander was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury. He finished the season averaging career highs of 24.5 points and 5.9 assists per game.

May 24, 2022: Commitment to National Team

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

February 2, 2023: Named to First NBA All-Star Game

On February 2, 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander was named to his first-ever NBA All-Star Game as a reserve guard for the Western Conference.

November 8, 2023: Scored 43 points vs Cavaliers

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

2023: FIBA World Cup and Northern Star Award

In 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander led the Canadian team to a historic bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup and was named to the All-Tournament Team. He also received the Northern Star Award and the Lionel Conacher Award.

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

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

January 25, 2024: Named Western Conference All-Star Starter

On January 25, 2024, Gilgeous-Alexander was named a Western Conference starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

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: 2024 Summer Olympics Performance

In 2024, Gilgeous-Alexander played for Canada in the Summer Olympics in Paris and was named to the tournament's All-Second Team.

2024: Securing Berth at Summer Olympics

On September 3, 2023, the Canadian national team qualified for the quarter-finals of the tournament, in the process securing a berth at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

January 2, 2025: Thunder Achieve 13th Straight Win

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