Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Cementing His Status as the NBA's Best Player in 2025
By Edcel Panganiban October 20, 2025 10:19
In a league brimming with transcendent talents—from Nikola Jokić's wizardry to Luka Dončić's scoring prowess—one name has risen above the fray in 2025: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The 27-year-old Canadian guard, fresh off a historic 2024-25 season where he captured the MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, and NBA Finals MVP in unprecedented fashion, enters the 2025-26 campaign as the reigning champion and, arguably, the pinnacle of basketball excellence. As the Oklahoma City Thunder gear up for their title defense, the debate rages: Is SGA truly the best player in the NBA? The evidence—from stats to intangibles—makes a compelling case.
The Meteoric Rise: From Trade Chip to Superstar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's journey is the stuff of NBA lore. Drafted 11th overall by the LA Clippers in 2018, he was shipped to Oklahoma City the following year in the blockbuster deal for Paul George—a move that initially raised eyebrows but ultimately proved transformative. Under Sam Presti's rebuild, SGA evolved from a promising rookie (earning All-Rookie honors in 2018-19) into a three-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team selection. His silky smooth scoring, elite defense, and leadership propelled the Thunder from lottery dwellers to contenders, culminating in their 2025 championship run.
What sets SGA apart is his efficiency and versatility. At 6'6" with a guard's handle and a forward's length, he's a matchup nightmare—capable of dropping 30 points while locking down opponents and facilitating for teammates like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Legends like Allen Iverson have hailed him as "the best player in the world," citing his relentless work ethic as the key to his ascent.
Dominance Defined: The 2024-25 Masterclass
SGA's 2024-25 campaign was a symphony of brilliance. He averaged 32.7 points (leading the league), 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, shooting 51.9% from the field—all while playing in 76 games. He became the first player ever to lead the NBA in games with 20+ points (75), 30+ (49), 40+ (13), and 50+ (four) in a single season, underscoring his scoring consistency.
In the playoffs, SGA elevated further, guiding OKC through a grueling Western Conference before dismantling the Eastern champs in the Finals. His Finals MVP performance included averages of 28.5 points, 7.2 assists, and lockdown defense that neutralized stars on the perimeter. NBA GMs voted him the best point guard in their annual survey, a nod to his positional dominance. As one analyst put it, SGA's game is "gorgeous," blending old-school midrange mastery with modern efficiency.
| Category | 2024-25 Stats | League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 32.7 | 1st |
| Assists Per Game | 6.4 | 14th |
| Rebounds Per Game | 5.0 | 76th |
| Field Goal % | 51.9% | 21st |
| Steals Per Game | 2.0 | Top 5 (implied) |
This all-around production, paired with his championship pedigree, separates him from peers who boast gaudy numbers but lack the hardware.
Stacking Up Against the Elite: Why SGA Edges Out the Field
The NBA's upper echelon is stacked, but SGA's case holds water against the best. Nikola Jokić, often ranked No. 1 in preseason polls (e.g., ESPN's NBA Rank and The Athletic's list), is a triple-double machine, but SGA's defensive impact—averaging more steals and blocks while guarding multiple positions—gives him an edge in two-way play. Jokić's Nuggets fell short in 2025, while SGA delivered a title.
Luka Dončić (No. 3-4 in many rankings) mirrors SGA's scoring but lacks the efficiency and defense; Giannis Antetokounmpo (similarly ranked) brings freakish athleticism, yet SGA's ball-handling and shot-creation in clutch moments proved superior in head-to-head matchups. Emerging threats like Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards are rising, but neither has SGA's proven resume yet.
CBS Sports made the explicit case for SGA as No. 1, highlighting his playoff heroics and leadership in turning OKC into a dynasty-in-the-making. Even in X discussions, fans and pundits echo this sentiment, with some calling him the "best player in the NBA rn." Shams Charania expressed shock that SGA received zero votes for "best player right now" in ESPN's survey, given his triple-MVP haul.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Supremacy in 2025-26
As the Thunder enter 2025-26 with the league's lowest back-to-back games (13), SGA is primed for another MVP-caliber year—projected at 24.5 PPG in a more balanced offense, per advanced models. With OKC favored to repeat (18 GM votes for Western Conference and title winners), his role as the engine remains central. Challenges abound—health, competition from reloaded squads like the Nuggets—but SGA's track record suggests he'll thrive.
Verdict: The Crown Fits
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn't just in the conversation for the NBA's best—he's leading it. His blend of scoring artistry, defensive tenacity, and championship mettle, capped by a historic 2025 trifecta, elevates him above the pack. In a league where rings define legacies, SGA has delivered, proving that practice, as Iverson preached, breeds perfection. As the 2025-26 season tips off, the Thunder's star isn't chasing greatness—he's embodying it.
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