Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the 2024-25 MVP, defeating Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic for the award. During his acceptance speech, Gilgeous-Alexander thanked his wife for her support. He also reflected on his younger years, when he first fell in love with the game, playing AAU at nine years old.

When a reporter asked what was left for Gilgeous-Alexander to win, alluding to this year’s illustrious title amid SGA’s first Western Conference Finals appearance, Gilgeous-Alexander said he still has plenty to achieve throughout his NBA career.

“The way I see it, everything is left,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “When I picked up a basketball and I was nine years old, playing AAU, I never sat there like I wanna be an All-Star. I wanna be an MVP. I sat there like ‘I wanna win this tournament.’ Winning is everything. If you don’t win, none of it matters. That’s just how I see the game. That’s how I see competition in general.”

For Gilgeous-Alexander, winning still trumps everything else.

“You play. Whether it’s pick-up with your friends, whether it’s men’s league and you’re fifty-five, whether it’s love is basketball and you’re nine years old. You pick up the ball to play and win,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “That’s what I’m after: winning as many times as possible.”

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder stepped in the right direction, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1. The league MVP finished with 31 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals in his conference final debut.

Gilgeous-Alexander's mom partnered with AT&T to thank her son. After the NBA’s announcement, Chermaine Gilgeous, Gilgeous-Alexander’s mother, congratulated her son for winning this year’s MVP award, per AT&T’s Instagram.

“Finally! You got it!” said Chermaine Gilgeous. “You deserve it. Like I said, be you, stay focused, and everything else will work out.”

 

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) hugs his son and wife after his team defeated the Denver Nuggets in game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thanks wife in heartfelt MVP speech

Gilgeous-Alexander finished runner-up to Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic for MVP in 2024.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thanks his wife in heartfelt MVP speech

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) hugs his son and wife after his team defeated the Denver Nuggets in game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took a moment to thank his wife for her unwavering support over the years. Gilgeous-Alexander also thanked his wife, Hailey Summers, for being a terrific mother to their son.

“Hailey Summers, thank you for everything you are, for me, for our son, Aries,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “You were the first person to show me what love really meant. What sacrifice really meant.”

Gilgeous-Alexander will receive his MVP award before Game 2 on Thursday.