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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA. He is a guard known as SGA and is among the league’s top scorers. In 2025, he was named NBA Most Valuable Player, helped Oklahoma City win the NBA championship, and was named Finals MVP.

Early life and education

Gilgeous-Alexander was born in Toronto, Ontario, and is Canadian. He played college basketball at Kentucky before entering the NBA.

NBA career

He was selected in the 2018 NBA draft and began his NBA career with the Los Angeles Clippers before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019. He has since become one of the league’s leading scorers.

Awards and recognition

Gilgeous-Alexander won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in 2025, along with Finals MVP after Oklahoma City’s championship run. ESPN also lists multiple All-NBA First Team selections and other honours.

Playing style

Britannica describes him as a guard who scores by evading defenders with twists, turns, and head fakes on drives to the hoop. This style has made him one of the NBA’s most closely watched offensive players.

Key facts

  • Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on July 12, 1998.
  • Plays guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
  • Played one NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to Oklahoma City in 2019.
  • Won NBA Most Valuable Player in 2025.
  • Helped the Thunder win the NBA championship in 2025 and was named Finals MVP.
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Canadian context

He is one of Canada’s most prominent active basketball stars and a Toronto-born NBA MVP, which makes him a major figure for Canadian sports fans.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
He is a Canadian professional basketball guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder and one of the NBA’s leading scorers.
How old is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
He was born on July 12, 1998, which makes him 27 years old.
What happened to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
He was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, then became an NBA MVP and championship winner with Oklahoma City in 2025.
What is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander known for?
He is known for elite scoring, his guard play, and his ability to beat defenders with change of pace, head fakes, and creative finishes at the rim.
Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander married?
Yes. Sources report that he married Hailey Summers in February 2024.
What team does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander play for?
He plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, Canadian nationality, NBA career overview, trade to Oklahoma City, playing style, 2025 MVP/championship/Finals MVP
  2. NBA.com — https://www.nba.com/player/1628983/shai-gilgeous-alexander/bio
    Supports: Age, birthdate, country, college, team, career overview
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/4278073/shai-gilgeous-alexander
    Supports: Team, position, height/weight, birthdate, draft info, active status, honors
  4. NBC — https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/everything-to-know-about-nba-mvp-shai-gilgeous-alexander
    Supports: Marriage to Hailey Summers and family details
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14171756/
    Supports: Marriage to Hilary/Hailey Summers and one child