Shane Gillis, the comedian/actor, was invited to the ESPYs to give the opening monologue and host the prestigious award ceremony. Little did they know, he would drop arguably the most hilarious monologue in the history of the ceremony.
Gillis took the stage and gave the funniest speech where he did not spare anyone from President Donald Trump to even Caitlin Clark. He also took a hilarious shot at the reigning Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, during the show.
“SGA is here and now everybody around him is in foul trouble,” said the comedian hilariously as the crowd erupted in laughter.
Shane Gillis: "SGA is here. Everybody sitting around him is in foul trouble" 😂 pic.twitter.com/GtcigsYLBp
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 17, 2025
This was about his constant criticism of drawing fouls and being deemed a “foul artist” and a “free throw merchant.” He also took a shot at Caitlin Clark during his monologue.
“When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she’s going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most: fist-fighting black women,” said the comedian as the crowd went crazy over his jokes.
"When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she's going to work at a waffle house so she can continue doing what she loves most: fist fighting black women"
— Shane Gillis 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/X45GWByr6o
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) July 17, 2025
Caitlin Clark has come under scrutiny this season, after displaying what seems to be poor body language and unsportsmanlike behavior to fans amid her shooting struggles. Her infamous aggressive attitude prompted these lighthearted jokes from Gillis.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 8.0 makes in 8.9 free-throw attempts per game this season, including regular season and the Playoffs. He has the third-most free throw attempts in the NBA for the regular season and was widely scrutinized as well as appreciated for his ability to draw fouls.
During the Playoffs, opposing coaches and players were stumped at figuring out ways to stop him as he shattered multiple records on the way to the OKC Thunder’s first NBA championship.
How Basketball Players Performed In The ESPYs: Award List And More
Gilgeous-Alexander bagged the best NBA Player award at the 2025 ESPYs, while Clark bagged the best WNBA player award. Since Clark is busy with the season, she received this accolade in absentia, while Gilgeous-Alexander was present and a good portion of the Thunder roster also showed up to show their support to him.
Simone Biles trumped Stephen Curry’s performance with the Team USA Basketball in the Olympics to win the best championship performance award at the ceremony. Saquon Barkley’s backwards hurdle jump beat Tyrese Haliburton’s Game 1 winning shot in the NBA Finals, as well as Sabrina Ionescu’s game-winning shot from the logo to seal Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
Ilona Maher, the rugby player, beat Cooper Flagg as the best breakout athlete of the year. Gilgeous-Alexander also won the best male athlete of the year. He competed with NFL star Josh Allen, star RB Saquon Barkley, and MLB sensation Shohei Ohtani for this award and came out on top.
SGA won almost every individual award possible (except defensive team selections and defensive player of the year) on his way to leading the Thunder to their first NBA championship. Do you think he has done enough to justify being awarded the best male athlete of the year across all sports? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
