OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making history. He recently won the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award, marking his second consecutive win. This achievement places him among the elite, as he’s now one of just 18 players to have won this honor at least twice.
“His core qualities remain the same,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault about Gilgeous-Alexander. “He has sharpened his skills and leadership as he’s matured.”
This win is significant beyond just stats. It’s worth noting that Gilgeous-Alexander is Canadian, making it the eighth straight year that the MVP hails from outside the U.S. This trend began in 2019 with Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece and includes players like Nikola Jokic from Serbia and Joel Embiid, originally from Cameroon.
Continuing this trend, Gilgeous-Alexander took the MVP title over star players like Jokic and Victor Wembanyama from France. “Shai excels at creating space in one-on-one situations. He’s tough for any defender,” added Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance this season has been impressive. He scored an average of 31.1 points per game, second only to Luka Doncic, who averaged 33.5. Interestingly, he’s also set a league record for scoring at least 20 points in consecutive regular-season games with 140 and counting.
What sets him apart? His calm demeanor. Unlike many players, he avoids emotional distractions. “Staying focused gives me the best chance to make smart plays,” he noted. This approach helps him thrive in critical moments, underscoring his presence in the clutch. He was also named Clutch Player of the Year, receiving 96 of 100 first-place votes.
As for two-time MVP Jokic, there’s an interesting statistic: despite averaging a triple-double this season—27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists—he didn’t clinch the MVP title. Historically, averaging a triple-double has not guaranteed MVP recognition. Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook faced similar fates in their MVP seasons. It seems the voters look for something more.
Last year, the MVP voting saw international players finish in the top three spots. This pattern has emerged for five consecutive seasons, showing the expanding influence of global talent in the league. The last American player to achieve this was Stephen Curry in 2021.
As the NBA landscape evolves, Gilgeous-Alexander’s both on and off-the-court demeanor continues to resonate, attracting attention from fans and analysts alike. His journey reflects a broader trend of international players making waves in a historically U.S.-dominated league.
As the Thunder prepare for the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, all eyes will be on Gilgeous-Alexander. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is set to present him with his MVP trophy again, further capping off a remarkable season. With each game, he’s not just playing for statistics; he’s redefining what it means to be a leader in the NBA today.
For more insights into the evolving role of international players in sports, check out this report from Forbes.
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