Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins NBA MVP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2024-25 season, becoming the second Canadian and first Kentucky Wildcat to win the award. At 26, he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the best NBA record (68-14) and set multiple records, including leading the league in 20-point, 30-point, and 40-point games, while averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game with efficient shooting. His win continues a seven-year streak of international-born players winning MVP, the longest in NBA history, following stars like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the last American winner being James Harden in 2018. Gilgeous-Alexander outpaced a strong field including three-time MVP Jokic and Giannis, securing 71 first-place votes to Jokic’s 29 in a close race. His teammates praise his confidence and leadership, which they credit as his most valuable trait alongside his on-court performance. This victory places Gilgeous-Alexander among a rare group of players from the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise to receive the MVP honor, joining Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.