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 All-NBA First Team selection, he reached his career peak in the 2024-25 season, where he was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player. That season also saw Gilgeous-Alexander lead the Thunder to their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.

Sections (4)

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

1936: Canada's Previous Medal

In 1936, was Canada's first medal at a major global tournament since the 1936 Summer Olympics.

1996: SuperSonics set the previous team record

In 1996, the Seattle SuperSonics set the previous franchise record that was broken on January 5, 2025.

2012: Thunder's Last NBA Finals Appearance Since 2012

In 2012, was the Thunder's first NBA Finals appearance until Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led them to another apperance.

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

In 2016, Gilgeous-Alexander played for the Canadian junior national team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, winning a silver medal. He also joined the senior national team at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where Canada missed qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

2016: First Western Conference Semifinals Since 2016

In 2016, the Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2016, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in 4 games. However, they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games, despite Gilgeous-Alexander's playoff career-high 36 points in Game 6.

2017: Kentucky Derby Classic MVP and Nike Hoop Summit

In 2017, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the most valuable player of the Kentucky Derby Classic. At the 2017 Nike Hoop Summit, he represented the World Select Team and scored eleven points in 21 minutes of action.

April 9, 2018: Declared for the NBA draft

On April 9, 2018, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander declared for the 2018 NBA draft.

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 was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

December 17, 2018: Season-Best 24 Points

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

2018: Selected in the NBA Draft

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

January 18, 2019: Tied Season-Best of 24 Points

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

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 the Oklahoma City Thunder

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

July 2019: Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder

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

October 8, 2019: Preseason Debut with 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.

December 22, 2019: Career-High 32 Points

On December 22, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a then career-high 32 points in a 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 8, 2020: Signed Endorsement Deal with Converse

On July 8, 2020, Gilgeous-Alexander signed an endorsement deal with Converse.

December 26, 2020: Game-Winning Shot against the Charlotte Hornets

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

February 24, 2021: Career-High 42 Points

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 Shot Against 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 Play with the 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 against the Cavaliers

On November 8, 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 43 points on 15-of-22 shooting from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line in a 128–120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2023: Leads Canada to Bronze Medal at FIBA World Cup

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

2023: Named to First NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA First Team

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 the league in scoring with 31.4 points per game.

2023: Bronze Medal and Northern Star Award

In 2023, Gilgeous-Alexander won the bronze medal at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team and he received the Northern Star Award as Canada's Athlete of the Year.

2023: O'Neal's Move for Gilgeous-Alexander to Reebok

In 2023, Shaquille O'Neal tried to sign Gilgeous-Alexander over to Reebok when his initial contract was due to expire at the end of the 2023–2024 NBA season.

January 25, 2024: Named All-Star Game Starter

On January 25, 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named a Western Conference starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive selection and his first selection as a starter.

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

On November 11, 2024, 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 his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers.

2024: Gilgeous-Alexander leads in multiple statistics

In 2024, Gilgeous-Alexander finished the regular season as the first Canadian to lead the NBA in scoring, achieving the most 20-point games (75), 30-point games (49), 40-point games (13), and 50-point games (4).

2024: Plays at the 2024 Summer Olympics

In 2024, Gilgeous-Alexander played for Canada at the Summer Olympics in Paris, where the team was surprisingly eliminated in the quarterfinals by France. He was named to the tournament's All-Second Team.

2024: Resigned with Converse and Became Creative Director

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

2024: NBA Most Valuable Player

In the 2024-2025 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA Most Valuable Player

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.

2025: Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Thunder to NBA Championship and Wins Finals MVP

In 2025, Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA Championship, defeating the Indiana Pacers in 7 games. He was named the Finals MVP, capping off a season where he also won the regular season MVP and scoring title.

2025: NBA MVP and Finals MVP

In 2025, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, won the NBA MVP award, and earned Finals MVP en route to winning the 2025 NBA Finals.