Feb 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a play against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Suns Legend Congratulates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Winning MVP

Originally posted on Phoenix Suns on SI | By Brendan Mau | Last updated May 22, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the first Canadian-born player since Phoenix Suns legend Steve Nash in 2006 to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player award Wednesday night.

Nash, who won back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006, congratulated Gilgeous-Alexander on the award with a long social media post on Thursday.

"Kids (and grown ups) watch and listen to this guy," Nash wrote on Instagram. "He talks about the process. Refines the process. Attacks the process. Obsesses over the process. He does it with class, grit and style.

"When you see him now it looks like he was born to do this. When he was cut from the JV team in 9th grade I’m assuming he did not. He’s willing to dig really deep and do the work everyday but the work is not all sweat. It’s equally building and committing to a process and riding it through the ups and downs.

"Bravo, Shai! Keep killing your process."

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A post shared by Steve Nash (@stevenash)

Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder are currently up 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals over the Minnesota Timberwolves and are looking to do something Nash was not able to accomplish with the Suns--winning the NBA Finals.

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

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