Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most valuable player in the NBA for the 2024-25 season.
All season long Shy Gilgaus Alexander was his biggest favorite to win an MVP award.
Gilgeous-Alexander was the driving force behind the Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic campaign, claiming that the NBA’s Top 68 won this past regular season.
He also led the league with points (32.7) and tallied 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steel and 1.0 blocks while shooting 52% off the field in 76 games.
The Oklahoma City superstar scored 71 out of 100 votes to seal off the MVP race, earning a total of 913 points.
Nikola Zhokic served as a major competitor for the award after averaging historic triple doubles. He claimed the remainder of the 29th first place vote with 787 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP is simply special for Oklahoma City. He became the third Thunder player in franchise history and joined Kevin Durant (2013-14) and Russell Westbrook (2016-17).
But what’s more, becoming the most valuable player in the league is particularly convincing for fellow Canadians who follow in Steve Nash’s footsteps.
NASH was the first Canadian to win the NBA MVP, achieving feats in back-to-back seasons from 2004 to 2005 and 2005-06.
“I have great respect and respect for Shy,” the Phoenix Suns icon told Sportsnet’s Michael Grange in a statement.
“Not only how he plays, but how he carries himself and what he represents.
“It is inspiring to see an unwavering desire to improve and implement it, and Shy is writing history to push boundaries.
“Pride is an understatement.”
During Gilgeous-Alexander’s humble beginnings and love for the game, Nash was his most impactful mentor.
Nash holds the best of Gilgauss Alexander as a basketball player, highlighted when the two joined in preparation for Team Canada’s 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Gilgeous-Alexander in his MVP speech offered his heartwarming thanks to Nash in his “basic” and national basketball program.
“He set up the foundation. He was the first Canadian basketball player I knew. It would not have been a very dream for us without seeing him go to the NBA from Canada,” the OKC guard said.
“So it was special considering talking to such a guy and what he meant not only for basketball but for the country of Canada.”
