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NBA World Reacts To Shai Gilgeous-Alexander News
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) greets Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells (0) after the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 117-115 in Game 4 to win the first-round NBA playoff series at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NBA World Reacts To Shai Gilgeous-Alexander News

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI  |  By Ben Stinar  |  Last updated May 21, 2025 4:05 PM ET

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off a historic regular season for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The All-Star guard averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 51.9% from the field and 37.5% from the three-point range in 76 games.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the former Kentucky star will be named as the 2025 MVP.

Via Charania: "Breaking: Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the NBA MVP award, sources tell ESPN."

Many people reacted to the news.

StatMuse: "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this season:

— 33/5/6/2
— Best player on best team
— 1st in points
— 2nd in steals
— 1st in plus/minus
— 1st in 30-point games
— 1st in 40-point games
— 1st in 50-point games

MVP."

Pat Bev Pod: "Shai has been destined to be MVP from day 1 congrats young king @shaiglalex"

ESPN BET: "SGA = MVP

Shai opened at +550 to win the award, and closed the season at -4000."

@RussFcb: "I'm proud of you Shai, completely deserved MVP we've witnessed one of the best Guard seasons in NBA history

Thank you for being my franchise player, WE WON'T TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED AT ALL"

@ClutchPoints: "SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER IS YOUR 2024-25 NBA MVP

Led the Thunder to an NBA-best 68 wins
Led the NBA in scoring (32.7 ppg)
Scored 20+ points in 72 straight games
Led the NBA in 20-point games (75)
Led the NBA in 30-point games (49)
Led the NBA in 40-point games (13)
Led the NBA in 50-point games (4)"

Thunder Film Room: "Now that it’s official:

Shai is one of the coolest player development stories in recent memory. What a story & what a path.

We all should feel very fortunate to have a front row seat to his development all these years. We often underestimate the process & overvalue the result."

Bleacher Report: "THUNDER MVPs:

2014: KD
2017: Russ
2025: SGA

Shai puts himself in good company"

@balldontstop: "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes just the second Canadian to win the NBA MVP award and is the first guard since James Harden in 2018 to win the award. Historical campaign."

Charania: "First MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the No. 1-seed Thunder to a league-high 68 wins and became the second player in NBA history to average at least 30 points on 50% shooting, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block per game along with Michael Jordan (1987-88, 1990-91)."

Underdog NBA: "NBA MVP is an international player for the 7th consecutive season:

‘25: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
‘24: Nikola Jokic (Serbia)
‘23: Joel Embiid (Cameroon)
‘22: Nikola Jokic
‘21: Nikola Jokic
‘20: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
‘19: Giannis Antetokounmpo"

TSN: "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Steve Nash as just the second Canadian to ever win NBA MVP."

The 26-year-old is in his seventh season (and sixth with the Thunder).

He spent his rookie year with the LA Clippers.


This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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