Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has made history by becoming the first player from Kentucky to claim both the NBA Most Valuable Player award and an NBA championship in the same season. This unprecedented achievement occurred on Sunday, following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s decisive Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers. Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable performance solidified his place in NBA history and further elevated his status as a leading guard in the league.
During the NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander impressed by averaging 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game, which earned him the Finals MVP honors. His leadership helped propel the Thunder to only their second-ever appearance in the NBA Finals, culminating in the franchise’s first championship.
Overview of Gilgeous-Alexander’s Kentucky Roots and Professional Journey
Before rising to NBA stardom, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spent one season at the University of Kentucky during the 2017-18 NCAA campaign. He contributed to Kentucky’s victory in the 2018 SEC Tournament and helped the Wildcats reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. After declaring for the NBA Draft, he was picked and started his professional career with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he has since spent six seasons sharpening his skills and leading the team to new heights. This season’s championship victory marks the pinnacle of his professional accomplishments to date, alongside general teammates like Cason Wallace, who has also joined Kentucky players with NBA titles.
Kentucky Alumni Who Have Won NBA Championships
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now part of an elite group of former Kentucky Wildcats who have won NBA championships. These players have carved their legacies both in college basketball and professional leagues, demonstrating the strong pipeline Kentucky provides to the NBA.
Pat Riley, a Kentucky player from the 1960s, had a distinguished career starting with the San Diego Rockets in the NBA, winning his first NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1971-72 season. Besides his playing career, Riley is renowned for coaching and executive roles, securing five more championships with the Lakers and three with the Miami Heat. His last titles came during the LeBron James and Dwyane Wade era while serving as the Heat’s president.
Frank Ramsey, who played for Kentucky in the early 1950s, was a key player in Kentucky’s 1951 NCAA Championship. He went on to win seven NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, including a historic six consecutive championships from 1959 to 1964.
Anthony Davis represented Kentucky for one season in 2011-12, helping the Wildcats secure the NCAA Championship. Drafted first overall in 2012, Davis later joined the Los Angeles Lakers and won the NBA championship in 2020 within the NBA bubble, showcasing dominant stats against Miami during the Finals.
Antoine Walker, part of Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA championship team led by Rick Pitino, was drafted third overall the same year. After a decade in the NBA, Walker clinched his sole championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals.
The Enduring Legacy of Kentucky Players in NBA Success
The accomplishments of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Kentucky peers illustrate the significant impact the university has had on professional basketball. From Pat Riley’s multifaceted career as a player, coach, and executive to the dominance of players like Frank Ramsey and Anthony Davis, Kentucky continues to produce stars who excel at the highest level.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s breakthrough not only adds a new chapter to Kentucky’s proud basketball heritage but also inspires current and future Wildcats aiming for NBA greatness. As the Oklahoma City Thunder build around his leadership, Gilgeous-Alexander’s role as a Kentucky alumnus bringing an MVP and title in the same year sets a bold example for others to follow.
“You’ve always been one of one”
—Kentucky honors Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s NBA MVP win with special gesture