Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is widely considered one of the best players in the NBA. While this would typically imply an obsession with basketball, during a recent interview with GQ’s Yang-Yi Goh, Gilgeous-Alexander revealed that the sport was not a priority for him.
When asked about how important his family was to his career, the Thunder guard responded, “No matter what happens, I know that basketball is not the most important thing to me. It takes the pressure off of the game knowing that I have something else that means more, that I hold dear to my heart. It’s been the reason why I’m so at peace.”
The 27-year-old holds his family very close to his heart. With the birth of his son, Ares, in April last year, the Thunder star has further embraced the importance of balancing his career with family life and being present for those special moments with them.
During the interview, the reigning MVP also spoke about potentially playing into his 40s, but added that he wouldn’t do that simply because of how much time it would require him to be away from his son. In this regard, his basketball career seems to take a back seat.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s decision to prioritize his family isn’t novel. In some ways, it also resonates with the sentiments of his MVP rival, Nikola Jokic, who has displayed a deep commitment to his family and his home country of Serbia.
While such a statement is a refreshing change of pace, it is also rather striking considering his accomplishments last season. Coming off a historic performance last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his rapid rise to greatness.
Steve Nash Hails Shai Gilgeous-Alexander As The Greatest Canadian Player Ever
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is among the new generation of international players taking over the NBA. Aside from being one of the most gifted young players in the modern era, the Thunder star is also the face of basketball in Canada.
It is worth noting that the Canadian men’s national team features some talented players, including Jamal Murray, Dillon Brooks, and RJ Barrett, among many others.
As a part of Canada’s so-called “golden generation of hoopers”, Goh noted that the 27-year-old had only two on-court tests to prove his greatness, one of which involved leading the Canadian men’s team to an Olympic podium finish, something the nation hasn’t been able to accomplish since 1936.
On this note, former NBA player and Canadian basketball legend Steve Nash noted Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential, “He’s going to be an inspiring figure for many generations of Canadians to come. I have no problem anointing him the greatest Canadian player ever.”
From a two-time MVP winner, this certainly comes as high praise. But considering the depth of Canada’s squad, paired with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s individual brilliance, the feat doesn’t seem completely out of reach.
As the star prepares for another season, with greater accomplishments on the horizon, the 27-year-old will also gear up to make another title charge with the Thunder, albeit with a much bigger target on their backs.
