Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Player Bio

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

BEFORE NBA

PERSONAL LIFE

PERSONAL LIFE

His mother represented Canada during the 1992 Summer Olympics in track. Has one younger brother, Thomasi. Moved from Toronto to Chattanooga, Tenn. in high school. In 2016, was a member of the Canadian U18 National Team. His first job was to referee elementary school basketball as a teenager. Lists “Like Mike” as his favorite movie and “Game of Thrones” as his favorite TV show. His favorite meal is his mother’s homemade lasagna. Does not listen to music pregame. Has a strong interest in fashion and design. Enjoys drawing both cartoons and fashion designs. His favorite non-NBA team is Paris Saint-Germain F.C. Considers Hall of Famer Steve Nash to be a mentor.

BEFORE NBA

In his lone season at Kentucky, appeared in 37 games (24 starts) and recorded averages of 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.65 steals in 33.7 minutes per contest, shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from beyond the arc and 81.7 percent from the free throw line. Led the team in assists (189), steals (61) and three-point field goal percentage. One of only three freshman in Kentucky history to record 61 or more steals. Ranked second on the team in points (532). Earned 2018 SEC Tournament MVP. Named to All-SEC Freshman Team and the All-SEC Second Team. Was named SEC Freshman of the Week (1/15).

Led all rookies on +.500 teams in scoring and minutes per game. He ended the season by scoring 20 or more points in four of the last seven games while also scoring in double figures in 17 of the final 20 games of the 2018-19 season. Led the NBA in three-point shooting in March (59.4). No rookie in NBA history has matched his season stat line in points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, three-point percentage and free throw percentage. Appeared in the 2019 MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars Challenge during the 2019 All-Star weekend. On 1/8 vs. Charlotte, became the only rookie guard to log at least four blocks and two steals in under 22 minutes of playing time since at least 1974-75. On 11/12 vs. Golden State, became the only rookie in Clippers history to log at least 18 points, 70 percent shooting, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Made his first career start on 11/5 vsvs. Minnesota. On 10/17 vs. Denver, became the 20th player in Clippers history to reach double-digit scoring in his NBA debut.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Led all rookies on +.500 teams in scoring and minutes per game. He ended the season by scoring 20 or more points in four of the last seven games while also scoring in double figures in 17 of the final 20 games of the 2018-19 season. Led the NBA in three-point shooting in March (59.4). No rookie in NBA history has matched his season stat line in points, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, three-point percentage and free throw percentage. Appeared in the 2019 MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars Challenge during the 2019 All-Star weekend. On 1/8 vs. Charlotte, became the only rookie guard to log at least four blocks and two steals in under 22 minutes of playing time since at least 1974-75. On 11/12 vs. Golden State, became the only rookie in Clippers history to log at least 18 points, 70 percent shooting, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Made his first career start on 11/5 vs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was born in 1998 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is the son of Charmaine Gilgeous and Vaughn Alexander. Vaughn coached Shai when Shai was young. Charmaine is a former track star who competed for Antigua and Barbuda at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Shai played at three different high schools. He began in Hamilton, Ontario at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School before switching to Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School. He then transferred to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee for his junior and senior years. His cousin is fellow NBA player Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Follow SGA on Twitter (@shaiglalex) and Instagram (@shai). Gilgeous-Alexander played one season with the University of Kentucky. For the 2017-18 season, he appeared in 37 games with 24 starts. The guard averaged 14.4 points, 4.1 boards, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals. Gilgeous-Alexander shot well, converting 48.5 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from behind the arc and 81.7 percent from the charity stripe. He also led the Wildcats in assists, steals and three-point shooting. He was one of only three freshmen in Kentucky history to record 61 or more steals. The Canadian was named to both the All-SEC Freshman Team and All-SEC Second Team and earned the 2018 SEC Tournament MVP award. Gilgeous-Alexander is one of four NBA players to emerge from the 2017-18 Kentucky roster after being selected at No. 11 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by Charlotte (then traded to the Clippers the same day).

Player Bio

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was born in 1998 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is the son of Charmaine Gilgeous and Vaughn Alexander. Vaughn coached Shai when Shai was young. Charmaine is a former track star who competed for Antigua and Barbuda at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Shai played at three different high schools. He began in Hamilton, Ontario at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School before switching to Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School. He then transferred to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee for his junior and senior years. His cousin is fellow NBA player Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Follow SGA on Twitter (@shaiglalex) and Instagram (@shai). Gilgeous-Alexander played one season with the University of Kentucky.