• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was praised by Steve Nash for his efforts in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
• Gilgeous-Alexander has led the national team to the semifinals of the tournament
• Canada has also sealed Olympic qualification for themselves for the first time since 1988
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off a breakout NBA season that saw him be named to the All-NBA First Team. This summer, he’s leading Canada to new heights. Steve Nash, arguably the greatest Canadian basketballer ever, has recognized Shai’s incredible talent while talking about his performances in the FIBA World Cup.
“I mean, he’s got it, right? He [Gilgeous-Alexander] has the game, the feel, the understanding of his responsibility in the moment. It’s just a beautiful thing when you have a player like that in your arsenal.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has led Canada to the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup, eliminating Luka Doncic’s Slovenia in a highly-anticipated quarterfinal clash.
Canada will face Serbia in the semifinals to book a place in the Finals against the winner of USA vs. Germany.
Canada Looking For Their Inaugural World Cup Trophy
The Canadian national team has been massively overshadowed by their southern neighbors in the United States, as they have never really competed at the highest level of international competition. But the development of the game over the last few decades has finally reaped big rewards, as Canada is in the midst of a golden generation.
Even without two of their best players, Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins, Canada looks like a legitimate contender to win the tournament. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as the best player in the tournament and will hope to use the solid roster around him to overcome Serbia, who are without Nikola Jokic, to make the Finals.
The Canadian Golden Generation features Shai, along with the absent Murray and Wiggins. In terms of the World Cup roster, they have many NBA players, such as Dillon Brooks, RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Lu Dort.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Looking To Enter MVP Conversations
The tanking era of the Oklahoma City Thunder should be over this season, as the young roster will come out hunting a playoff spot. With Shai at the helm and his incredible numbers leading to more on-court success, he’s bound to find himself in MVP conversations.
He averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season while being named to the All-NBA First Team despite missing the playoffs. Luka Doncic was named to the First Team alongside him, so the 2018 Draft classmates are bound to have a rivalry develop as both look to return to the playoffs this season.
The Thunder roster looks really dangerous. Josh Giddey impressed with Australia in FIBA and is a triple-double threat every night in the NBA. Lu Dort has established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and will provide a winning effort every night.
Chet Holmgren is among the favorites for Rookie of the Year behind Victor Wembanyama, and his rookie season could be one where OKC breaks their three-year playoff drought.
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