History of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Timeline

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

1936: Last Medal at Major Global Tournament

The text refers to the 1936 Summer Olympics, which was the last time Canada won a medal at a major global tournament prior to the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

1949: George Mikan's NBA Finals Debut

The text references George Mikan scoring 42 points in his NBA Finals debut in 1949, which is more than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's debut.

1992: Mother at Summer Olympics

In 1992, Gilgeous-Alexander's mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, competed in the women's 400 metres for Antigua and Barbuda at the Summer Olympics.

1992: Michael Jordan's 1992 Postseason Run

The text mentions that in the 1992 postseason, Michael Jordan was one of only four NBA players to ever have 15 or more 30-point games in a single postseason run.

1995: Hakeem Olajuwon's 1995 Postseason Run

The text mentions that in the 1995 postseason, Hakeem Olajuwon was one of only four NBA players to ever have 15 or more 30-point games in a single postseason run.

July 12, 1998: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Birth

On July 12, 1998, Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as SGA, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Allen Iverson's NBA Finals Debut

The text mentions that Allen Iverson scored 48 points in his NBA Finals debut in 2001, which is more than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's debut.

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.

2009: Kobe Bryant's 2009 Postseason Run

The text mentions that in the 2009 postseason, Kobe Bryant was one of only four NBA players to ever have 15 or more 30-point games in a single postseason run.

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.

October 2016: Re-opened recruitment

In October 2016, Gilgeous-Alexander, a four-star recruit by ESPN, re-opened his recruitment after originally committing to Florida.

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.

March 24, 2021: Season ends due to plantar fascia tear

On March 24, 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander's season ended after 35 games due to a tear in his plantar fascia.

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.

March 28, 2022: Ruled out for rest of season with ankle injury

On March 28, 2022, Gilgeous-Alexander was ruled out for the rest of the season with 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 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.

October 31, 2022: NBA Western Conference Player of the Week

On October 31, 2022, Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for Week 2, marking his second career NBA Player of the Week award.

2022: Free Throws Made

From the 2022-23 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in total free throws made.

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: 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: All-Defensive Team Votes

In 2023, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander started earning All-Defensive Team votes.

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.

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, marking his second consecutive selection and his first as a starter.

February 2024: Marriage to Hailey Summers

In February 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander married his longtime girlfriend, Hailey Summers.

April 2024: Birth of First Child

In April 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Hailey Summers welcomed their first child.

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: Free Throws Made

From the 2022-23 season to the 2024-25 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in total free throws made.

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: Defensive Player of the Year Award Voting

In 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander placed 7th in the voting for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

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: All-Defensive Team Votes

In 2025, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued earning All-Defensive Team votes.

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.