The Superstar of the NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, came home to Hamilton on Thursday and professed his love for the city of Ontario during a celebration to mark one of the best seasons in the history of the League.
Hundreds of people attended the free demonstration to honor Oklahoma City Thunder, since a key to the city was presented.
In the 2024-2025 season, Gilgeous-Alexander, 27, won the NBA Championship, was appointed MVP Final and MVP of regular season, and took the title of annotation of the League.
“Growing up as I traveled around the world, people always wondered where it was … I was proud to make everyone know it was from Hamilton,” Gilgous-Alexander said to the multitude of animations.
“I liked to tell you what the city of Steel meant for me. Hamiltonians have a different sensation of determination, determination, pride and energy than the rest of the province. And honestly, I couldn’t shy that. I have that every day.”
In an NBA elite group
The only other players who have achieved the same feat as Gilgous-Alexander in a NBA season are Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan, who did four times. That’s all. Only Gilgeous-Alexander and three members of the NBA Hall of Fame. They did not leave him. No Kobe. No Steph Curry.
“Many athletes would be considered a great player who had achieved only one of these praise,” said Rowan Barrett, general manager of the Canadian male team, in the rally. “But to make them all with such grace, calm under pressure and true leadership in every way of the word, it was something beautiful of sight.”
Mayor Andrea Horwath gave Gilgeous-Alexander the first key of the city that will be presented by a mayor of Hamilton since 1998, and is the greatest honor of the city, he said.
“Shai, you have not only inspired Hamilton, not only in Canada, but fans around the world. And you have done it with humility, with heart and an unwavering connection with the city you call home,” said Hormwath. “On behalf of all Hamiltonians, we couldn’t be more proud.”
The last receiver of the city key was the professional fighter Stone Cold Steve Austin. It was presented by Bob Morrow, the mayor at that time, in September 1998.
Gilgous-Alexander said he felt “overwhelming joy” when he discovered that he was receiving a key to the city.
He went to high school in St. Thomas More and Sir Allan Macnab, both in the mountain, and was recruited in the NBA in 2018 after playing a year of university basketball in the United States.
‘He is putting us on the map’
Verb Dela, 20, was early in the rally to get a good place to see her idol, Gilgeous-Alexander.
“He is putting us on the map, not only in Toronto. It’s Hamilton now too,” said Dela Cruz.
“It’s a great inspiration,” added his friend, Maddox Abarico, 21.
A Hamiltonian of a lifetime, Pam Edgecomb, 75, said that being in the rally and seeing Gilgeous-Alexander in person felt surreal.
“Shai, we admire it as much, as a athlete, a human being, a model to follow, for all ages,” he said. “It’s amazing. It’s amazing that it really is.”
