The people of Hamilton de Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are enjoying his success after the 26-year-old led the Oklahoma City Thunder to his first NBA title on Sunday night, while he also becomes the MVP of the NBA finals.
With the victories, he became the fourth player in the history of the League to win the score title, MVP, the NBA championship and the final MVP in the same season, joining the Hall of Fame Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal.
“Of all in Hamilton who knew him in the first days, we are incredibly excited by him and proud of whom he has become,” said Tim Francis, who trained Gilgous-Alexander in 2012 and 2013 at Sir Allan Allan Macnab Hamilton high school.
“He is the example that all children should be looking at. Be humble, work hard, show kindness, compete at the highest level and have fun while doing it. We are very proud of him and all his achievements this year,” Francis told CBC Hamilton in a text message.
In May, Gilgous-Alexander, also known as SGA, was appointed the most valuable NBA player: the first time he won the award and the second Canadian to be honored, after Steve Nash did it in 2005 and 2006. Now there are also seven consecutive years that a player was born outside the US MVP. UU., Extending the longest streak in the history of the League.
Gilgous-Alexander finished his MVP season with 29 points and 12 assists, and the Thunder defeated the Visiting Indiana Pacers 103-91 in game 7 of the NBA finals on Sunday.
‘Shai continues to be proud’
The mayor of Hamilton, Andrea Horwath, said that the city congratulates “Gilgeous-Alexander de Hamilton for” an incredible performance of MVP “and the victory of the NBA championship.
“From the streets of Hamilton to the biggest stage of the NBA, Shai continues to make us proud. Your leadership, balance and passion have no partner,” Horawath wrote in an Instagram post.
A city spokesman told CBC News that “the plans to celebrate and honor Shai here in Hamilton are still terminating.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a Canadian star in the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, not only helped his team to the NBA championship, but also took home the trophy like MVP of Playoffs and a scoring title. Gilgous-Alexander was appointed MVP of the League last month.
For the graduate of the University of McMaster, Daniel Sobczak, “seeing a child from Hamilton, Ontario … ascending to the MVP and the NBA champion is surreal.”
The story of Gilgous-Alexander is “a powerful reminder to continue growing, even through adversity and doubt,” Sobczak wrote on the social media site X.
“It’s really inspiring,” says Hamilton Youth
Hamilton’s basketball player, Mason Versace, was 10 when he met Gilgous-Alexander.
Versace, 13, who plays with Stac Hamilton, a non-profit organization in the city that supports young people who deserve actions in sports, said “it was incredible” to see Gilgous-Alxander achieve another milestone with his team.
“I’m very happy, I’m so excited, I knew they were going to win this at the beginning of the season,” Versace said in CBC’s Listen and now.
He said it is inspiring to see a Hamiltonian partner get so far.
“I think where we are, be it Hamilton, wherever, honestly, you can make your dream happen and it is really inspiring to see someone from Hamilton to get so far. It’s amazing,” Versace said.
“He is a very good teammate. My favorite thing is his personality, and I really like his drip, his shooting. It’s really fast. In general, it’s just a great player.”
A Moment of Hallelujah for SGA’s father
Gilgeous-Alexander’s father, Vaughan Alexander, said it was “a moment of Hallelujah” witnessing his son’s achievement.
“[I’m on] TOP OF THE WORLD, TOP OF THE WORLD [and] Just feel blessed. [I] I just feel that I am telling my blessings every day, and I know everything we work hard, it has just come to fruition. Then, it is hard work and perseverance and God is real, “Alexander told CBC News.
“[That’s] Something you will remember for the rest of your life. Just remember every day going to practices and lead to tournaments and bring trophies in second place and some of the first place as well.
“He simply brought many memories, many flashbacks, many difficult days and good morning, says so. [I] Just remember everything and feel blessed, “Alexander added.
After the victory on Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander himself said he did not feel real.
“So many hours. So many moments. So many emotions. Many nights of disbelief. So many nights of belief. It is crazy to know that we are all here, but this group worked for it. This group put in the hours and we deserve it,” he said.
