Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Crowned Canada’s Athlete of the Year Again

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named Canada’s Athlete of the Year for the second time, following a remarkable season in the NBA. The announcement was made on Tuesday, with a sports media panel in Toronto selecting him over notable athletes 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 total of 18 athletes were nominated for this prestigious award.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s achievements this past year include leading the NBA in scoring, earning both league MVP and Finals MVP honors, and guiding the Canadian men’s national team to a historic bronze medal at the Basketball World Cup. He also played a pivotal role in securing the team’s first Olympic berth in 23 years. The 27-year-old athlete has now joined an elite group as the 10th multiple winner of the award, with only NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and iconic figure skater Barbara Ann Scott having won it more than twice.

Historic Achievements and Record-Breaking Performance

In May, Gilgeous-Alexander became just the second Canadian ever to receive the NBA MVP award, a distinction previously held by Steve Nash from 2005 to 2006. During the last regular season, he averaged an impressive 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a franchise-best record of 68-14 and their second championship title.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance in the finals solidified his legacy; he recorded 29 points and 12 assists in the decisive Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers, capping off a stellar season. His achievement of winning the scoring title, league MVP, NBA championship, and Finals MVP in the same season places him in the company of NBA legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Rowan Barrett, the general manager of the Canadian men’s national team, praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership qualities at a rally held in Hamilton. “Many athletes would be considered a great player having achieved just one of these accolades,” he remarked. “To do them all with such grace, calmness under pressure and true leadership is a beautiful thing to behold.”

From Humble Beginnings to Stardom

Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey to becoming a basketball superstar has not been without its challenges. He was cut from his junior varsity team in Grade 9 and initially came off the bench during the first two months of his freshman year at University of Kentucky. Selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, he was later traded from the Los Angeles Clippers after his rookie season. His rise to stardom serves as an inspiration for young athletes.

“He is the example that all kids should be looking towards,” said Tim Francis, his former coach at Hamilton’s Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School. “Be humble, work hard, show kindness, compete at the highest level and have fun while you are doing it.”

This past summer, Gilgeous-Alexander was honored at a rally attended by hundreds in Hamilton, where he received a key to the city, the first such presentation by a mayor since 1998. He continues to build on his success, boasting career-best shooting percentages of 55.6 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from three-point range.

While Gilgeous-Alexander’s athletic feats are commendable, he faces stiff competition for future accolades. Summer McIntosh, at only 19 years old, shone brightly at the World Aquatics Championships in August, winning four gold medals and a bronze. She is recognized as one of the most promising athletes in Canadian sports, having become only the second woman to win four individual titles in a single long-course world championship.

The Northern Star Award, which has been awarded annually since 1936, is presented by the Toronto Star and voted on by sports journalists from across Canada. Previously known as the Lou Marsh Award, it was renamed in 2023 due to concerns over some of the language used by its namesake.

As the world of sports continues to evolve, both Gilgeous-Alexander and McIntosh represent the future of Canadian athletics, showcasing talent that inspires a new generation of athletes. Their achievements not only enhance their personal legacies but also contribute to Canada’s growing influence in the global sports arena.