Thunder news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander representing 2018 class well

Shai Gilgeous Alexander is on the rise with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and his draft classmate and Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has taken notice.

The 2018 draft class already looks like it has the potential to be one of the best of all time. With talents such as Young, Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton and Jaren Jackson Jr. already showing star potential in only their second seasons, the draft class certainly doesn't lack top-end talent.

While all of those players were selected in the top five of that draft, there's Gilgeous-Alexander who was selected outside of the top 10 that is emerging as one of the best young guards in the NBA.

After spending his rookie year with the Los Angeles Clippers, the No. 11 pick of the 2018 draft has exploded onto the scene this season. The Thunder were supposed to be rebuilding, but instead, the 6-foot-5 guard is putting up 19.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while leading OKC to a possible playoff berth.

With Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder taking Young and Atlanta last Friday, the Hawks point guard had only positive things to say about his fellow member of the 2018 draft class.

“I mean he can play. I’ve played against him in AAU, USA Basketball, Canada, I’ve gone against him a lot throughout my career and he’s a hell of a player. I think you see with what me and Luka are doing in our class, Shai is representing our class well too. He’s doing great out here and I’m pulling for him,” Young said, per Nick Crain of Forbes.