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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named Sports Illustrated’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year, a recognition that reflects both his rise in the NBA and his growing impact in Oklahoma City.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated about his rise to superstardom, Gilgeous-Alexander pointed back to the mindset that has guided him since he was overlooked as a teenager.
“The way I saw it was when I was in ninth grade, nobody saw me and was like, ‘He’s going to be the 11th pick in the NBA Draft.’ And I did it, so why can’t I just implement the same thing on a different scale, on a different level using the same process?”
That belief has carried him from an underestimated prospect to the centerpiece of the Oklahoma City Thunder, built on steady growth. The award places Gilgeous-Alexander among a few group of athletes recognized not just for performance, but for influence and leadership.
For Oklahoma City, the award confirms what has been built over time: Shai grew into a star.
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