Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was officially named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2024-25 season on May 21, 2025. The 26-year-old Canadian’s emotional acceptance speech, in which he paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife Hailey Summers, highlighted the personal journey behind his remarkable professional achievements.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the first Kentucky Wildcat to receive the league’s MVP honor and continues the recent trend as the seventh consecutive international player to earn the prestigious award.
Addressing his wife during his acceptance speech, Gilgeous-Alexander’s voice cracked with emotion. “Thank you,” he began. “Sorry I’m so dramatic… Thank you for everything you are to me, for our son Ares. You were the first person to show me what love really meant—what sacrifice really meant. I can’t wait to spend the rest of this journey called life with you. So thank you for everything.”
On the court, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an outstanding MVP-caliber season. He led the NBA with an average of 32.7 points per game while shooting 51% from the field, and also contributed over six assists and five rebounds per game. His performance propelled the Thunder to a league-best 68-14 record, securing the top seed in the Western Conference.
This season places Gilgeous-Alexander alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan as the only players in league history to average at least 30 points on 50 percent shooting, along with five rebounds, five assists, 1.5 steals, and one block per game in a single season.
The MVP was decided by a global media panel, where Gilgeous-Alexander received 71 first-place votes and a total of 913 points, narrowly edging out Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who garnered 787 points. This marks the first MVP win for a Thunder player since Russell Westbrook in 2017.
Beyond statistics, Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership and confidence have been instrumental in the Thunder’s success. Teammate Kenrich Williams emphasized his impact, stating, “The confidence he has in himself and the confidence he instills in every one of his teammates, including the coaches.”
In a show of appreciation, Gilgeous-Alexander gifted each of his teammates a Rolex watch, a gesture that NBA Central shared widely on social media.
His rise to MVP also reflects his growth since being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Thunder in 2019—a deal widely considered one of the most lopsided in NBA history, as it sent Paul George to the Clippers.
As the Thunder currently lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 1-0 in the Western Conference Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP recognition symbolizes both a personal milestone and the team’s resurgence on the NBA stage.
