Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just joined the NBA’s elite club, according to Shaq
Oklahoma City Thunder‘s incredible 2024-25 season ended with a championship trophy and a pile of individual awards for their star players.
But nobody shined brighter than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who took home the league MVP award at just 27 years old.
Now, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is putting SGA’s name alongside some of the greatest to ever play the game.
During a recent appearance on the Pivot Podcast, Shaq didn’t mince words about where he thinks Gilgeous-Alexander stands in today’s NBA.
“SGA is in there now,” O’Neal said, placing him in the conversation with all-time greats like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dwyane Wade.
That’s some serious praise from a guy who knows a thing or two about greatness.
Shaq was crystal clear that he sees Gilgeous-Alexander as the undisputed #1 player in the league right now. It’s hard to argue with that take after the season SGA just had.
The Thunder guard put together one of the most historic campaigns we’ve seen in years.
He didn’t just win MVP and lead the league in scoring. SGA capped it off by bringing a championship to Oklahoma City and earning Finals MVP honors.
That makes him just the fourth player in NBA history to accomplish all those feats in a single season.
The last player to do it? Shaq himself.
No wonder O’Neal recognizes what he’s seeing. Game recognizes game.
What’s scary for the rest of the league is that Oklahoma City’s young core is just getting started. With SGA leading the way, it’s easy to imagine the Thunder winning multiple championships over the next decade.
In just six years with the team, Gilgeous-Alexander has completely transformed the franchise’s future. He’s delivered a championship and become a household name in the process.
And if Shaq’s right, we might just be watching the early chapters of an all-time great career.
