Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Doesn’t Want To Play In NBA Until He Is 40 Years Old

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known by his initials SGA, recently said that he doesn’t want to play in the NBA until he’s 40 years old. Here’s why Gilgeous-Alexander, 27, said what he said.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Doesn’t Want To Play In NBA Until He’s 40

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears to be the type of player who lets his play and fashion sense do the talking. Originally selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander played his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019.

From there, the Toronto, Ontario, Canada native improved in his second year. He made his preseason debut on October 8, 2019, recording 24 points and 4 rebounds in a 119-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks. He recorded his first triple-double with 20 points, 10 assists, and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 117-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 13, 2020.

He became an NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP, and NBA MVP in 2025. He averaged 32.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, and shot 51.9% from the field. Even if he could, he said that he’s sure that he won’t play until he’s 40 years old. He told GQ Magazine, “I won’t want to miss that much of my kid’s life. I won’t want to be away and miss his first basketball game every year, his first soccer game, football game, piano lesson, chess lesson, whatever it is.”

SGA’s Outlook

Gilgeous-Alexander’s outlook entering the regular season appears bright. He previously achieved his first NBA title, NBA Finals MVP, NBA MVP, and NBA scoring title last season. He led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their 13th straight win on January 2, 2025. He also scored 51 points, along with 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block on March 3, 2025, tying Kevin Durant with four games with 50+ points in franchise history. That is the second-most in franchise history.

His potential with the Thunder and the NBA is significant. He agreed to a four-year, $285 million contract extension with the team on July 1, 2025, for a reason. His commitment to the team and desire to lead the teammates are two highlights of an NBA star in the making.

Final Thoughts

Gilgeous-Alexander is an Oklahoma City Thunder point guard. Gilgeous-Alexander is of Antiguan descent. His father, Vaughn, is from Canada, and his mother, Charmaine, is from Antigua and Barbuda. He grew up with the Canadian hustle and the Caribbean fire in Toronto before moving to the United States.

His goal is to finish his professional basketball career as a better player than Kobe Bryant. But, at the end of the day, he cherishes his family, and since his son Ares was welcomed with his wife, former Canadian college soccer player Hailey Summers, in April 2024. The couple married in an intimate ceremony in February 2024.