Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was more of a nominal point guard during his standout rookie season, and might play even more off the ball during his debut campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder. When it comes time for the second-year guard to take the reins of Billy Donovan's offense, though, John Calipari has no doubt he'll be more than up to the challenge.
The University of Kentucky coach told The Athletic's Brett Dawson why he's so confident Gilgeous-Alexander will thrive as a lead ball handler at the next level, alluding to a legacy he left in Lexington as one of the hardest-working players who Calipari has coached.
If and when Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the man Oklahoma City asks to set a tone and take the reins of a rebuild, Calipari said, “He’ll be fine.”
“Because he did it with us,” Calipari said.
He did it so effectively that his old coach still holds him up as an example, a Big Blue blueprint whom Calipari said he brought up during a recent meeting with his current team, a lesson in where hard work can lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander was sent to Oklahoma City earlier this month in the trade that netted the LA Clippers Paul George, and by proxy, Kawhi Leonard. He was the lone player included in Oklahoma City’s historic trade haul; the remaining compensation was a collection of first-round picks and pick swaps.
The No. 12 overall pick of last year’s draft, Gilgeous-Alexander started in LA’s backcourt last season, averaging 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on solid efficiency while making a positive impact defensively. His play against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, instructively, was even more impressive.
Expect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to start on the wing for the Thunder, shifting to point guard full-time when Chris Paul goes to the bench.
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