Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is entering the new NBA season with his sights firmly set on team success rather than individual accolades, even as the possibility of securing a third consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) award looms. If he achieves this, Gilgeous-Alexander would join a rarefied group that includes Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird—players who have managed three straight MVP honors, a feat not accomplished in four decades.
Despite his back-to-back MVP wins and league-leading 32 points per game average over the past two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander emphasizes that winning with the Thunder remains his primary goal. “I’ve just got to be the best player I can be for this basketball team, win as many games as possible,” he said. He credits this team-first approach as a key factor in his previous successes and intends to maintain that focus as the season progresses.
The Thunder entered the season as co-favorites for the NBA championship alongside the San Antonio Spurs, with Gilgeous-Alexander widely regarded as the best player on the squad. Oklahoma City’s general manager, Sam Presti, highlighted the unique qualities that set Gilgeous-Alexander apart, noting his combination of work ethic, discipline, and emotional intelligence. “His emotional awareness and regulation is superior,” Presti said, adding that the player’s measured mindset avoids a simplistic pass-fail mentality. This outlook, Presti believes, has propelled Gilgeous-Alexander from a lightly recruited college athlete to an elite NBA performer.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise also fits into a broader trend that has seen international players win the last eight MVP awards. The Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, selected as the preseason MVP favorite by general managers, is widely expected to continue that pattern. Many of these international MVPs, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, were drafted outside the top selections and exceeded early expectations. Gilgeous-Alexander, an 11th overall pick, has climbed steadily within this constellation of international talent.
Presti expressed confidence in Gilgeous-Alexander’s trajectory, emphasizing the player’s mindset and room for growth. “He’s got a lot more levels to go,” the general manager remarked, portraying his star as a rising athlete with a grounded approach to remaining competitive.
While individual honors have come with recognition and rewards, Gilgeous-Alexander views leadership and impact beyond trophies as paramount. He has shown a tendency to acknowledge teammates generously, often presenting them with gifts following his MVP seasons. Becoming a father has also influenced his leadership style, he said, reinforcing the importance of setting positive examples both on and off the court.
“Leadership is something that I’ve been intentional with, but also naturally grown as a man,” Gilgeous-Alexander explained. “You lead by example — and it’s hard to get people to follow you if you don’t do the right things and you don’t walk the walk.” As the Thunder pursue championship aspirations, Gilgeous-Alexander’s blend of talent, discipline, and leadership will be central to their quest.