Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Career, NBA, Thunder, Stats, All-Star, Shoes, Contract, Net Worth, Girlfriend & More – ItSportsHub

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a well-known Canadian professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Thunder’s point guard has journeyed from Canada to Tennessee, Kentucky to Los Angeles, and now back to Oklahoma City. He had to prove himself at every turn, asking for openings from teams who never gave them to him to begin with. He has a crew eager to deliver him the keys for the first time.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had established themselves as one of the most well-balanced teams and a challenging opponent every night prior to the NBA season’s suspension. Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s outstanding sophomore season, in which he established himself as one of the league’s most promising young guards, is one of the reasons behind this. In this article, we are talking about this player. So, keep reading to know more about him.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Bio/Wiki

Birth Place
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Father’s Name
Vaughn Alexander

Mother’s Name
Charmaine Gilgeous

Star Sign
Pisces

College
University of Kentucky (2017-2018)

Net Worth
$8 million

Salary
$35,859,950

Age
24

Date of Birth
July 12, 1998

Height
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)

Weight
195 lb (88 kg)

Nationality
Canadian

NBA Draft Year
2018

NBA Draft Pick
Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall

Playing Career
2018 – Present

Position
Shooting guard/ Point guard

Teams
2018–2019 Los Angeles Clippers

2019–present Oklahoma City Thunders

Achievements
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2019)

Second-team All-SEC (2018)

SEC All-Freshman Team (2018)

SEC tournament MVP (2018)

Wife/Girlfriend
Hallie Summers

Children
NA

Endorsements

• Nike
• Converse
• Foot Locker

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Early Life, Parents, Nationality & Ethnicity

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was born on July 12, 1998, in Toronto, Canada. His mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, is from the Bahamas, while his father, Vaughn Alexander, is Canadian.

Gilgeous-Alexander holds dual nationality of both Canada and the Bahamas. He has also expressed pride in his Bahamian heritage, often representing the country in international basketball competitions.

In terms of ethnicity, Gilgeous-Alexander is of mixed race, with his mother being of African-Caribbean descent and his father of African-Canadian descent.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Cousin & Brother

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes from a family with a rich basketball heritage. His cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, is also an NBA player for the New Orleans Pelicans. The two grew up playing basketball together in Canada and were even teammates on the Canadian national team.

Shai’s older brother, Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander, also played college basketball in the United States at Lincoln Memorial University. While he did not pursue a professional career, he has been involved in coaching and mentoring young basketball players in Canada.

With basketball running in the family, it’s no surprise that Shai has found success on the court himself, becoming one of the top young guards in the NBA today.

Age & Height

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a talented young basketball player who currently plays as a guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. He was born on July 12, 1998, which makes him 24 years old as of 2022. Gilgeous-Alexander stands at 6 feet 6 inches tall, which is considered to be above average for his position.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s size and athleticism give him a distinct advantage on the court, allowing him to excel in various aspects of the game, including scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. As he continues to develop his skills and gain more experience at the professional level, many basketball fans are excited to see what he can achieve in the years to come.

High School Career

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attended Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for his high school education. During his time there, he played basketball for the school’s team, the Hawks.

In his junior year, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He was named the MVP of the 2016 Best of Preps tournament and was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s All-State team.

In his senior year, Gilgeous-Alexander continued to excel, averaging 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. He was named the Tennessee Class AA Mr. Basketball and was selected to the USA Today All-USA Tennessee First Team. He also participated in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit, where he was named the MVP of the international team.

College Career

After graduating from high school, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attended the University of Kentucky, where he played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats for one season, in the 2017-2018 academic year.

In his freshman year, Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as one of the top players in the country, averaging 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He helped lead the Wildcats to the SEC Tournament championship game and the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team and the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s strong play during his freshman season led him to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft, where he was selected 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets. However, he was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Professional Career

Los Angeles Clippers (2018–2019)

In the 2018 NBA Draft, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was initially selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 11th overall pick. However, he was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the pick after him and two future second round picks.

During the 2018 NBA Summer League, Gilgeous-Alexander impressed with his performance, averaging 19 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

Throughout his rookie season with the Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander demonstrated his potential as a talented and versatile player. He achieved his season-best of 24 points in two separate games against the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors, respectively.

In addition, Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the World Team representing Canada for the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge, an honor given to the top first and second-year players from around the world. He also set a new career-high of 25 points in Game 4 of the 2019 playoffs, despite the Clippers losing to the Golden State Warriors.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2019–present)

2019

In July 2019, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with Danilo Gallinari, five first-round draft picks, and the rights to swap two other first round picks, in exchange for NBA All-Star Paul George. Gilgeous-Alexander made his preseason debut with the Thunder in October 2019, scoring 24 points and four rebounds in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.

On December 22, 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander achieved a then career-high of 32 points, along with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals, in a 118–112 victory over his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. He recorded his first NBA triple-double on January 13, 2020, with 20 points, 10 assists, and a career-high 20 rebounds in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander became the second player after Russell Westbrook to record a 20-20-10 statline in the last 30 years, and the youngest ever to achieve it.

2020

In December 2020, Gilgeous-Alexander hit a game-winning jump shot, along with 24 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists, in a 109-107 win over the Charlotte Hornets. In February 2021, he scored a career-high 42 points to give the Thunder a 102-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs. However, on March 24, 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander’s season ended early due to a tear in his plantar fascia.

2021

In August 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a five-year, $172 million rookie extension with the Thunder, which could become a five-year, $207 million rookie maximum extension if he is included on an All-NBA Team. On December 18, 2021, he scored 18 points, including a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, to lift the Thunder over his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, 104-103.

Four days later, he achieved his second career triple-double, with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, in a win over the Denver Nuggets. In December 2021, Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for Week 10, after leading the Thunder to a 3-1 record with impressive averages of 27.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists.

Unfortunately, on March 28, 2022, Gilgeous-Alexander was ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. Despite this setback, he finished the season with career highs of 24.5 points and 5.9 assists per game.

2022

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an outstanding season in the NBA, and his performances have earned him several accolades. During Week 2 (October 24-30) of the 2022-23 season, he was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the second time in his career. He played a crucial role in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s undefeated 3-0 week, averaging 31.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.

Gilgeous-Alexander continued to impress as the season progressed. On November 16, he tied his previous career-high with 42 points, adding six rebounds, seven assists, and a game-winning three-pointer in a 121-120 victory over the Washington Wizards. On December 19, he hit another buzzer-beating game-winner while scoring 35 points in a 123-121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. A few days later, on December 23, he recorded a career-high 44 points, along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists, in a 128-125 overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

2023

The guard’s excellent form led to him being selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first-ever All-Star appearance. He made his presence felt in the game, scoring 42 points, grabbing four rebounds, dishing out six assists, and recording three steals and two blocks in a 153-121 win over the Houston Rockets. On February 10, he tied his career-high with 44 points on an impressive 80% shooting, including 18-of-19 free throws, in a 138-129 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming the first Thunder player to achieve this feat.

National Team Career

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has represented Canada in international basketball competitions. He first played for the Canadian national team at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in 2016, where he helped lead Canada to a bronze medal. He averaged 7.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in the tournament.

In 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander played for the Canadian senior men’s national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers. He played in two games, averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Canada finished the qualifiers with a 9-3 record and qualified for the World Cup.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander was unable to join the Canadian team for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup due to a right knee injury. Canada finished the tournament with a 2-3 record and did not advance to the knockout stage.

Gilgeous-Alexander has expressed his commitment to continue playing for the Canadian national team in future international competitions.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander All-Star Game

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, earned his first-ever NBA All-Star Game selection as a reserve guard for the Western Conference on February 2, 2023. This is a significant milestone for the 24-year-old player who has been making waves in the league with his outstanding performances.

Just a few days after being named to the All-Star team, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 42 points, four rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks in a 153-121 win over the Houston Rockets. He then tied his career-high with 44 points in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming the first player in Thunder history to score 40-plus points on 80% shooting.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Contract

So, Shai agreed to terms with the Oklahoma City Thunder on a 5-year, $179,299,750 contract, with $179,299,750 guaranteed and an annual average salary of $35,859,950. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will also receive a base salary of $30,913,750 in 2022-23, as well as a cap hit of $30,913,750 and a dead cap value of $30,913,750.

• 2023-24: $33,386,850
• 2024-25: $35,859,950
• 2025-26: $38,333,050
• 2026-27: $40,806,150

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Stats

After 38 games, Shaiis averaging 31.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks on 50.4% shooting. The 24-year-old’s PPG of 31.0 ranks third in the NBA, behind only superstars Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid. Nonetheless, OKC has a losing record of 19-23 and is ranked 12th in the Western Conference. The West is similarly filled with quality backcourt players, so it’s unclear whether Shaiwill earn his first All-Star selection. Shai remains fourth among West backcourt players in the latest NBA All-Star fan voting returns, with 1,338,764 votes. He lags behind more established talents such as the aforementioned Doncic, as well as Steph Curry and Ja Morant.

Each conference can only have two guards as starters. Doncic and Curry had almost two million more votes than Shaiand Morant. Hence, despite the fact that fan voting only accounts for 50.0% of the vote, Doncic and Curry appear to be locks to start in the West backcourt. This leaves Shaicompeting for one of the two West reserve guard places with Morant and several other great guards. “SGA” also has a shot at one of the two wildcard positions in the West, which are picked at random. Shai, on the other hand, is comfortably a top-four guard in the West and will likely not even be considered for a wildcard position.

More Details

The Thunder are on track to win 37 games this season after winning only 24 games previous season. The key factor has been Gilgeous-meteoric Alexander’s rise to popularity. This season, the young star has carried a rebuilding OKC club on his back, notably offensively. With Shai on the court, the Thunder have a 114.0 team offensive rating. This contrasts with their team-worst 107.2 offensive rating when he was on the bench. It is also the difference between having the NBA’s 12th and 30th best offense. So Gilgeous-31.0 Alexander’s PPG has had an effect on OKC. Meanwhile, several of SGA’s biggest contenders for All-Star reserve positions, including Damian Lillard and Devin Booker, have been hampered by injuries this season. It should only increase Shai Gilgeous-chances Alexander’s of making his first All-Star team this year.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Girlfriend

So, Hailey Summers (24 years old) is the girlfriend of SGA. Besides, the duo hasn’t been hesitant about showcasing their bodies on social media. Hailey is also a soccer player from Canada who now plays for the University of Albany. She is also a St. Mary Catholic Secondary School graduate from Ontario, Canada. Hailey also helped her high school win multiple municipal soccer and football titles. She also played high school basketball and won some city championships. She did, however, continue to appreciate soccer after graduating from high school. Hailey is also a defender for the University of Albany’s Women’s Soccer team.

Then, in 2017, she played in 17 games for the University of Albany soccer team, earning one assist. She also made 23 appearances, including 22 starts, the following year. Then, for the 2020-21 season, she was named to the USC Scholar All-Atlantic Second Team, the America East All-Conference First Team, and the America East All-Academic teams. Hailey is also an avid social media user who regularly shares images of herself with Shai.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shoes

So, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a bright future. The franchise not only has a war chest of future draft selections, but Shai is performing at an All-Star level this season. After his debut in the NBA in 2018, Shai has mostly gone unnoticed by basketball fans. But, the 24-year-old’s highlight reel and engaging attitude make him hard to ignore. Then, after an impressive 33-point effort on Sunday night, SGA powered Oklahoma City to a victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

“SGA” handed his game-worn Converse basketball sneakers to two lucky fans after the game. Because of the fans’ reactions, the touching scene became viral. Additionally, the film emphasizes Alexander’s Gilgeous-dedication to Thunder fans who anxiously await the arrival of the future squad. Many people are also unaware that Converse is still in the business of producing high-performance basketball shoes.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Net Worth

So, Shai has a net worth of $8 million. Shai and the Oklahoma City Thunder also agreed to a five-year, $172 million rookie agreement on August 3, 2022. Then, it will be upgraded to a five-year, $207 million Rookie Max extension if he is named to an All-NBA Team. According to Spotrac, SGA’s salary in 2023-24 will be $5,495,532, with a cap hit of $5,495,532 and a dead cap value of $5,495,532. Since entering the league in 2018, Shai has been a Nike-sponsored athlete, while Converse has been a Nike subsidiary since 2003. Furthermore, in his debut Converse commercial, the Hamilton, ON native attributed his development to become one of the league’s brightest young stars to his background.

Converse has been worn by some of the game’s most prominent figures, including Julius Erving in the 1970s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the 1980s, and Dwyane Wade during his historic championship run in 2006. Now, the player is aiming to carry the torch as the next great to represent the renowned company, and he’s doing so admirably.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Draft

So, The Charlotte Hornets picked Shai with the eleventh overall choice in the 2018 NBA draft on June 21, 2018, before trading him to the Los Angeles Clippers the next day in exchange for the pick after him (which ended up being Miles Bridges) and two future second round picks. He went on to play for the club in the 2018 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 19 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

Then, on December 17, 2018, Shai had a season-best of 24 points in a 127-131 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers. Shai equaled his season high of 24 points against the Golden State Warriors on January 18, 2019. Eleven days later, he was chosen as a member of Canada’s World Team for the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge. He set a new career best with 25 points in a 105-113 defeat to the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2019 playoffs on April 21, 2019.

Facts

• First, he is a consistent free throw shooter, making over 80% of his attempts since college.
• His mother was also an Olympian, representing Antigua and Barbuda in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Besides, there was no shame in losing in the NCAA Tournament versus Kansas State. The squad that defeated Gilgeous-Wildcats Alexander’s also defeated UMBC, who became the first 16-seed in tournament history to overcome a high seed when they defeated Virginia.
• He had also committed to play collegiate basketball at Florida, before changing his mind and choosing John Calipari’s Wildcats.
• He is also the youngest player to ever record a triple-double in a game, with 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Social Media

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an active user of social media and has a significant following on Instagram, where he often shares updates about his personal life and professional career. His Instagram handle is @shai, and he has over 1.7 million followers.

Apart from Instagram, Shai also has an official Twitter account, @shaiglalex, with over 140.4K followers, where he frequently interacts with fans and posts updates about his basketball career.

Fans can also follow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Facebook at @shai.gilgeousalexander, where he shares posts about his games, training, and personal life.

Additionally, Shai has a YouTube channel, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, where he shares vlogs about his life and basketball journey.

Links to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s social media accounts:

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Shainot playing?

According to Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com, head coach Mark Daigneault stated on Sunday that the club will monitor Gilgeous-(abdomen/COVID-19) Alexander’s workload for the remainder of the season.

How many 3s does Shai average a game?

So, this season, Shai has averaged 2.6 three-point attempts per game.

Who did the Thunder trade for SGA?

In return for the then-MVP finalist George, the Thunder ripped away a potential teenager in Shai, experienced forward Danilo Gallinari, and five first-round selections.

How did Shai Summers and Hailey Summers meet?

So, Shai and Hailey have been dating since they were in high school in 2016. Hailey also went to St. Mary’s, while SGA went to St. Thomas More Catholic High School. They have been dating for five years on August 23, 2021.

While Shai has been relocated twice in a short amount of time, one person has been with him for years: his love, Hailey Summers. Shai has found time to meet his girlfriend despite being moved twice in his career and having to relocate from Los Angeles to Oklahoma.

In addition, the pair has published several images of themselves on social media, and they seem gorgeous together.

What is SGA known for?

Shai, a budding young star in the NBA, has emerged as one of the greatest players from the incredibly brilliant 2018 NBA Draft. In his rookie class, he ranks fifth in overall assists and points and tenth in total rebounds.

Is Shai a capable defender?

Besides, Shai will be among the NBA’s top if he can maintain his shooting stats while still being a solid enough defender to lead the Thunder.

What is the highest point in SGA’s career?

So, Gilgeous-Alexander set a career best with 44 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in a 128-125 overtime loss against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 23, in a win-win situation.

What is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s age?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was born on July 12, 1998, which makes him 24 years old as of 2022.

How tall is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is listed as 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) tall.

Does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have a girlfriend?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been in a relationship with Hailey Summers for six years.

What is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s net worth?

As of 2023, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. This includes his NBA salary, endorsement deals, and other business ventures.

What position does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander play?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a guard who primarily plays the point guard position for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Where is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

What college did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attend?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played one year of college basketball at the University of Kentucky before declaring for the NBA draft.