Through a rare, two-way brilliance, an indescribable confidence, and an uncanny ability to make even the greatest defenders appear invisible, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reaped his benefits in a most fitting manner: a presence that couldn’t have been more visible on the award ballots. The artist behind arguably 2023-24’s most versatile portrait, Gilgeous-Alexander stood as the only player inside the top-10 for Most Valuable Player (No. 2), Clutch Player of the Year (No. 3), and Defensive Player of the Year (No. 7). Success, even for the most tireless workers, is seldom linear. Yet, as lead anchor behind Oklahoma City’s breathtaking three-season stretch — from 24 wins to 40, and then 57 — the two-time All-Star discovered that 2023-24’s forecast called for something historic: alpha dog on league history’s youngest-ever No. 1 seed. From crowd-quieting game-winners to creative social media captions, Gilgeous-Alexander’s season — 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 53.5 percent shooting — changed cultures. Starring in a league where few acts of greatness can be deemed surefire, Oklahomans and opposing defenders alike could be almost assured of two things on gameday: a rising sun, and a 30-point game from the man of many moves. · Dec 15, 2025