Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has reached a level of achievement few Canadian athletes can match, and on Tuesday he was named Canadian Athlete of the Year. The Hamilton-born basketball star capped a season for the record books, earning the NBA’s scoring title, Most Valuable Player, and Finals MVP honours while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship.

The 27-year-old stood out among a strong field of nominees, including Olympic swimmer Summer McIntosh, curler Rachel Homan, World Rugby women’s player of the year Sophie de Goede, and world hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers. A sports media panel in Toronto recognised Gilgeous-Alexander for the rare combination of individual brilliance, team success, and global impact that marked his 2024-25 season.

In May, he became only the second Canadian to win the NBA MVP award, joining Steve Nash, who claimed the honour in 2005 and 2006. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and five rebounds per game during the regular season, guiding the Thunder to a 68-14 record and securing the franchise’s second title. He was also the first guard to win MVP since James Harden in 2018. Only three other players in NBA history — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal — have combined the scoring crown, league MVP, NBA championship, and Finals MVP in a single season.

Gilgeous-Alexander also led the Canadian men’s national team to a historic bronze medal at the Basketball World Cup, earning the Northern Star Award in 2023. His career trajectory is remarkable considering early setbacks. He was cut from his junior varsity team in Grade 9, came off the bench for most of his freshman season at Kentucky, was drafted 11th overall in 2018, and was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers after his rookie year.

Tim Francis, Gilgeous-Alexander’s former high school coach at Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School, praised his character, saying he sets an example for young athletes through humility, hard work, and kindness. The community response in Hamilton reflects that sentiment. In August, hundreds attended a free rally honouring Gilgeous-Alexander as he received a key to the city, the first such presentation since 1998.

Even after a season of historic achievements, Gilgeous-Alexander has not slowed down. He is averaging 32.8 points per game, posting career-best shooting percentages of 55.6 per cent from the field and 44.3 per cent from three-point range. Rowan Barrett, general manager of the Canadian men’s national team, highlighted the player’s grace under pressure, leadership, and consistency as defining qualities.

As Canadian athletes from various sports continue to excel on the world stage, Gilgeous-Alexander’s extraordinary season stands as a landmark moment, solidifying his status among the country’s all-time sports greats.