Fresh off being named the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just celebrating personal glory—he’s sharing it with those who helped him get there.
Announced Wednesday night, the recognition comes after a dominant campaign in which the 26-year-old Canadian led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, while also averaging 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks, Idman.biz reports, citing NBA.
Speaking with the NBA on TNT panel, surrounded by his teammates, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed heartfelt gratitude.
“I tried so hard not to think about [the MVP] during the season. I just focused on playing basketball, improving, and helping the team win,” he said. “But as a competitor, and as a kid dreaming of the game, it’s always in the back of your mind. I’m very thankful to be on this side of the ballot — but none of this is possible without the guys behind me. The way we played, the way we won, that’s the main reason I’m here.”
The 26-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder star showed his deep appreciation for his teammates by gifting each of them a Rolex watch, a gesture that reflects the gratitude behind his words.
“None of this would be possible without my teammates,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after winning the award. “They’ve pushed me, supported me, and helped me grow into the player I am today.”
In a closely contested MVP race, Gilgeous-Alexander edged out three-time MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets, who averaged a triple-double for the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks finished third in the voting.
Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the third player in Oklahoma City Thunder history to win MVP, joining Kevin Durant (2014) and Russell Westbrook (2017).
He is now part of a growing legacy of international NBA talent, marking the seventh consecutive year the MVP award has gone to a non-American player. The last American-born MVP was James Harden in 2018.
The MVP honor adds to what has been a standout postseason for Gilgeous-Alexander, who recently led OKC past the Denver Nuggets in a dramatic seven-game series to reach the Western Conference Finals.
As the Thunder look to continue their championship push, their leader now carries a new title: Most Valuable Player.
Idman.biz
