Former Texas star Tre Johnson is expected to be selected in the top five of the 2025 NBA Draft, and he recently appeared on the KOC Show. At one point, Johnson was asked to name the move he would like to incorporate in his game from a present or past player, and he wants to learn how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws so many fouls.
“I wouldn’t even call it a move,” Johnson said. “Just SGA’s way of getting fouled, whatever you call that.”
Host Kevin O’Connor stated that some call it a “grifting move,” and Johnson, who averaged 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game as a freshman, said that’s what he wants. We usually had prospects in the past talk about wanting to add the Kobe Bryant fadeaway and whatnot, so this is something new.
Johnson’s opponents certainly won’t like it, though, if he masters that art. Gilgeous-Alexander drew 467 fouls in the 2024-25 season, which ranked second only to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 507. He ranks second in the playoffs, too, with 100 compared to 111 for Jalen Brunson.
Thanks to his drawing all those fouls, Gilgeous-Alexander ranked third in free throws per game in the regular season with 8.8. He has been even more prolific in the playoffs, ranking third with an average of 9.5 per game. Simply put, he is one of the best in the business at it.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul-drawing has been getting on his opponents’ nerves, and that has been more evident than ever before in the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch admitted after Game 1 that his players were frustrated by Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul-baiting. Anthony Edwards had even tossed the ball in frustration at the Canadian in the first quarter as he lay on the floor after getting a foul.
Then, in the fourth quarter of Game 2, Jaden McDaniels shoved Gilgeous-Alexander to the floor. The Timberwolves have certainly lost their cool at times. More worryingly, they are now on the brink of losing this series as well.
The Thunder beat the Timberwolves 128-126 in Game 4 at Target Center to take a 3-1 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points (13-30 FG), nine rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal in the win. He went 12-14 from the line and once again had to listen to fans calling him a “free throw merchant.”
This is becoming a regular occurrence, but Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear postgame that he is unbothered by those chants.
“The way I see it is that fans, they can do whatever they can do to help get you and knock me off my game… that’s their job. That’s what creates homecourt advantage,” said the Thunder guard. “I’d expect nothing less. But in terms of the label, I don’t care, never cared.”
“I’ve said this before, I’ve shot more free throws in a season than I did this season,” he added. “I think because we’re on the top of everyone’s radar and looking more noticeable, so now people care about it. I’ve got to see it as a compliment.”
All Gilgeous-Alexander cares about is winning, and the Thunder are now just one win away from the NBA Finals. Game 5 will be at Paycom Center on Wednesday at 8:30 PM ET.
