Young Thunder Champ Sheds Light on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Leadership Style

Oklahoma City Thunder All-NBA First Team point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a banner year in 2024-25, earning his first MVP award while leading his team to a 68-14 record and its first post-Seattle SuperSonics championship.

In a fresh conversation with Sportskeeda's Mark Medina, young shooting guard Ajay Mitchell spoke about learning from Gilgeous-Alexander and some of Oklahoma City's other great vets during his eventful 2024-25 season, which ended in a title. Mitchell was occasionally trotted out in spot playoff minutes during the postseason, although the former No. 38 pick in the 2024 draft wasn't a night-in, night-out contender.

Mitchell reflected on Gilgeous-Alexander's preferred leadership style.

"I think the way he leads [is] by the way he acts. Seeing him in the gym after practice and before practice, and the way he takes care of his body," Mitchell said. "It's just the way he's consistent throughout everything. For young players like us, it's really important to have leaders like that and see how they go about the game. It really helped me just learn from him, not only just asking questions. But looking at what he does and looking at the way he acts really helps."

Mitchell, who has plenty of defensive upside, spoke glowingly about what he's been able to glean from All-Defensive Team Thunder wings Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort, and Alex Caruso.

"They're great defenders. They're the best defenders in the league," Mitchell raved. "Seeing how they go about the game, for me it was the way they watched film. I think it was kind of different than in college. There, we just watch film. But they were really pointing on the guys they were going to guard. It's the way the game is so slow for them on defense, the way they can make reads and be playmakers on defense, I think that's a big part of it. It's not just about guarding your guys, but being able to make defensive plays. They can read players and get steals. The way they go about defense is amazing. There is a lot to learn from."