Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander answered questions at OKC Thunder Media Day and shared insights into his mentality as a player.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters his seventh season with the Thunder after leading Oklahoma City to its first NBA championship. The 27-year-old guard is coming off a historic year in which he led the league in scoring (32.7 points per game), won the Michael Jordan Trophy as league MVP, guided the Thunder to a league-best 68-14 record and captured Finals MVP honors.

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As for his beginnings, Gilgeous-Alexander says he had to work towards developing his talent.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to MVP: From rookie to OKC’s star

“I was never a player that jumped at the gym or had any insane talents; I had to work for it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I had to craft and carve and mold myself into this player I am today. I will never forget that.”

Gilgeous-Alexander also credited personal trainer Nem Ilic for his dedication to helping him become a star player.

“We’ve [been] working together since I think my rookie year of the NBA,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “To this day, we’re super close because of that. He’s been tremendous, he’s had a hand in this success as much as anybody.”

In the Finals against Indiana, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks in the seven-game series. Down 2-1 on the road in Game 4, he scored 15 of the team’s final 16 points to even the series.

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The Toronto native earned his third straight All-NBA First Team selection and his third consecutive All-Star nod. Following the season, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a supermax extension worth $364 million over six years, making him the NBA’s highest-paid player.

Off the court, he debuted his Converse signature shoe — the SHAI 001 — during the playoffs, with retail availability beginning in September.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s signature Converse shoe

Heading into 2025-26, Gilgeous-Alexander looks to lead Oklahoma City to back-to-back championships, a feat last accomplished by Golden State in 2017 and 2018.

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