Alexander Is Sports Illustrated’s 2025 Sportsperson of the Year
Sports Illustrated••sports
Key Points:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship and achieved the rare trifecta of NBA MVP, scoring champion, and Finals MVP in the 2024 season, while expressing a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
- Despite early career doubts and challenges, including being cut from his high school junior varsity team, Gilgeous-Alexander's relentless work ethic and emotional maturity have been key to his rise as a dominant NBA star.
- The Thunder’s methodical rebuilding strategy, focusing on developing young talent and complementing Gilgeous-Alexander’s skills, culminated in a franchise-record 68-win season and a strong playoff performance.
- Off the court, Gilgeous-Alexander
