Getting to Know NBA Rising Star: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

(AP Photo/ Michael Conroy)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is off to a hot start in 2021. The Thunder's starting shooting guard is averaging 23.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists so far this season, and he's just getting started. SGA has been quietly lighting up the league this year and is finally beginning to make some noise. Last night, Shai dominated the San Antonio Spurs, putting up a career-high 42 points, along with 8 boards and 4 assists. His career night made headlines of course but this is not the first time this season that Gilgeous-Alexander has put up big numbers. He had nights scoring, 30, 31, and 33, prior to exploding for 42 against San Antonio.

A big reason for SGA's recent success is his perimeter shooting. Coming out of college he was known more for his elusive moves to the basket and ability to finish. We saw this a lot in his first few seasons in the league. Now in his third NBA season, he has shot the ball more often and has been successful in doing so. Last season he shot about 35% from three-point range, already this season that number has jumped to an impressive 42%.

Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Image

Though his shooting has improved immensely, that is not the only cause for his development. Last

season SGA was teammates with NBA great Chris Paul. He and Paul worked well together in 2020 and even brought the Thunder to the 5th seed in the West. Chris Paul has since been traded to the Suns but there is no doubt that he taught Shai about being a superstar guard in this league and we can see it in his game today. Also without Paul out of the picture SGA has been given more playing time and a bigger opportunity that he has made the most of. He has done an excellent job filling in for Paul and taking over as the leader in Oklahoma City.

Not only has SGA been hooping on the floor but he has become an influence off the court as well. In August of 2020, Shai was on the cover of KICKS Magazine sporting converse sneakers. He is one of Converse's new big signings and wants to rejuvenate the Converse basketball sneaker. In addition to that, he was voted by fans as having the most drip in the league through Bleacher Report. He is always sporting flashy and stylish fits before and after games. Whether it be snazzy pregame outfits or dropping 42 on the Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is thriving and the league should be on the lookout.

(image via pausemag.co.uk)

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