Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket past Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the fourth quarter during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

'Greatness Doesn’t Rest' – Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Receives Hall of Fame Shoutout From Teammate

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 10:32 AM ET

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso strongly believes that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer someday because of his impressive CV.

Despite recently leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship and winning his first league MVP last season, according to Caruso, Gilgeous-Alexander continues to work relentlessly as if he has yet to achieve anything in his career.

“Greatness doesn’t rest — that’s what I’ve seen from the guys in the league that are Hall of Famers, that are ascending Hall of Famers, greatness has a skillset, greatness has a work ethic, greatness has a mindset. And Shai comes in every day like he’s trying to make the team,” Caruso stated about Gilgeous-Alexander. “He is the most competitive guy on our team, day in, day out.”

Jun 24, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, holds up a heart shape with his hands for fans during the Oklahoma City Thunder Champions parade. Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“He’s figured it out up here, and obviously, you mix that work ethic and that competitiveness with the skillset and athleticism he has, and it’s no surprise that he’s ascending to winning awards and having success in the league. I’ve seen it with countless other guys that I’ve been around that are all gonna have jackets on at the end of their careers,” he added.

Oklahoma City Thunder News: Mark Daigneault assesses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s first preseason game

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played his first preseason game in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 122-116 win over the Charlotte Hornets yesterday. The reigning league MVP had 16 points and five assists on 7-for-9 shooting in 20 minutes of action.

Apr 2, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) gestures after scoring against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“Lu’s like this, Alex (Caruso), Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), (Isaiah) Hart — they’ve just been through enough offseasons now that they kind of understand the calendar, and where they need to be at certain periods of time,” Daigneault said via ClutchPoints’ Josue Pavon. “And they kind of ramp themselves up. They understand what they need. They’re all a little bit different, and he’s got a great understanding of that. He was kind of in his first preseason game mode tonight.”

“We got competitors. So, you put them in a practice scrimmage and they’re gonna try to win… Those guys that have been in the league now for some time, kind of learn the paces and know the importance of these games in terms of getting themselves ready and getting their team ready, and getting their teammates ready,” he added.