Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Award For Canada's Athlete of the Year

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's rise to stardom goes far beyond the NBA and the United States. He's turning into an international household name.

On Monday, the Thunder star was named the Northern Star Award recipient for Canada's top athlete of 2023.

Gilgeous-Alexander accomplished so much in the 2023 calendar year, including receiving his first all-NBA selection and leading the Canadian men's team to a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup and upsetting the United States in the process.

SGA is just the second basketball player to win the award after Steve Nash took home the trophy in 2005.

According to the CBC, Gilgeous-Alexander "beat out Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, golfer and Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor, hammer thrower Camryn Rogers and swimmer Summer McIntosh for the award."

After finishing in the top five of MVP voting and leading Oklahoma City to a play-in berth a season ago, Gilgeous-Alexander is set out to top his performance in 2023-24. He's averaging 30.5 points, 6.2 assists and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 54.4% from the floor and committing just 2.1 turnovers per game. He has led the Thunder to a 14-7 record to start the season and the team is currently second in the Western Conference.

At this rate, Gilgeous-Alexander will once again be in the running for the NBA's MVP award and the Thunder could make a legitimate run in the NBA Playoffs. If the Thunder do secure a spot, he will have a chance to perform at the highest stage and more eyes will be on his game.

He'll also have a chance to set milestones for Team Canada at the Olympics next summer. His efforts led Canada to its first Olympic men's basketball berth since Nash led the way in 2000. It's only right that he's the first basketball Athlete of the Year since Nash, and is now leading Canada back to the basketball promised land.

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