Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made clear in a recent GQ interview that his drive to reach basketball’s highest level leaves no room for hesitation.
“I pick up a basketball to be the best. If you’re asking me if I want to be better than Kobe, of course I do,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Whether I get there or not, we’ll find out.”
His words reflect the mindset that has defined his rapid rise to the top of the NBA. The reigning league MVP led the Thunder to a 68–14 record last season, the best in franchise history and tied for the fifth-best mark in league history.
Gilgeous-Alexander also became the first Canadian to lead the NBA in scoring and the first to win both MVP and Finals MVP honors in the same season. He guided Oklahoma City to its first championship since relocating from Seattle, capping a playoff run in which he averaged nearly 30 points per game.
The 26-year-old’s focus on legacy echoes that of the players he grew up watching. His 2024–25 campaign included four 50-point games and a 72-game streak of scoring at least 20 points — the longest such run by any player since the 1960s.
But while his competitive fire burns as bright as ever, Gilgeous-Alexander said fatherhood has brought a new perspective to his life. “Since he and his wife, Hailey, welcomed their son, Ares, last year, he’s learning to balance that hunger for greatness with the responsibilities that come with being an active and present father,” GQ noted.
He listed his priorities simply: “Family, friends, hoops, fashion. Everything else just gets in the way.”
That singular focus has fueled one of the most complete all-around seasons in recent memory. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and nearly 90 percent from the free throw line.
