The reigning MVP of the NBA, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, is coming off quite the season. In addition to being voted MVP and winning the scoring title for averaging an insane 32 points per game on nearly 52% shooting, he also led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Championship, winning Finals MVP in the process. Simply put, he had one of the best individual seasons in modern NBA history.
The Canadian superstar is now setting his sights on some future Hall of Famers this coming season, he tells GQ magazine.
Where Does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Visualize Himself In the NBA Landscape?
Embracing being the next star of the NBA, and possibly the face of the next generation of stardom, Gilgeous-Alexander sat down with GQ magazine to talk about his incredible rise to the top.
When discussing who he considers his main rivals, such as current stars in his age range like Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, SGA aimed a little higher in terms of accomplishments.
“Nothing against the guys my age,” Shai shrugs, “but the guys I can’t wait to match up against are the LeBrons, the Steph Currys, the KDs (Kevin Durant), the James Hardens. The guys I grew up watching, that have completely stamped themselves on basketball forever, that have accomplished the things I want from the game. There’s no better test to see if I’m capable of accomplishing those things than going against those guys.”
After his insane season, SGA is everywhere. But there’s one space he says you’ll never find him: “I can’t stand a podcast.” https://t.co/YCnMHDhW9Y pic.twitter.com/uiudEKrM39
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) October 13, 2025
This speaks to SGA’s elite mindset and respect for the game’s history. Talking in reverence to those sure-fire future Hall of Famers with feats that speak for themselves. Including Curry, one of the greatest guards of all-time, who has revolutionized the modern NBA due to his perimeter shooting.
Harden’s legendary ‘unguardable’ era for the Houston Rockets made him one of the best individual scorers in NBA history.
LeBron James is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, and Durant is undoubtedly one of the best shooting forwards ever.
Not content with having one of the best individual seasons in NBA history, Gilgeous-Alexander believes he actually can still improve, if that’s even possible. This should terrify opponents.
Gilgeous-Alexander Is Focused on Improving Despite Breakout Season
“I still feel there’s another level I can get to,” Shai says. “Every season, you get better in the offseason, the NBA adjusts to that version of you, and then you learn something new. And that cycle just goes and goes and goes.”
This is spot-on in terms of mindset. We’ve seen how Harden has evolved as a playmaker in recent seasons, focusing on being a playmaking point guard rather than a scorer. Similarly, with James, it’s clear that whatever he focuses on in an offseason, whether it’s playmaking or shooting, he tends to excel in that area the following season. Meanwhile, Curry remains the master of his craft.
That is how a superstar player continues to evolve, adding another weapon to their arsenal.
It’s not just about being the best he can be; he wants the Thunder to be just as dominant as his idol Curry’s Golden State Warriors dynasty by winning back-to-back titles. He feels the Thunder can be repeat: “We definitely have the talent, the personnel, the chemistry, the experience to repeat.” The Canadian superstar looks focused on another episode of domination heading into this season.
