Thomasi Gilgeous Alexander Age and Background
Thomasi Gilgeous Alexander, commonly known as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is a Canadian professional basketball player currently listed as 26 years old. He was born on July 12, 1998, in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 191 pounds, playing primarily as a point guard and shooting guard. He attended school in Ontario before moving to the United States for college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he played one season and declared for the NBA Draft. View his official NBA player profile.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. He was later traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he became the team's primary scorer and leader. In the 2023 NBA Playoffs, he led the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016. He has been named an NBA All-Star multiple times and is widely regarded as one of the league's top guards. His age and rapid development have made him a central figure in the Thunder's long-term plans.
Current Contract, Salary, and Team Role
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a five-year, $172 million maximum contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2023. The deal includes a player option for the final year and is structured to keep him in Oklahoma City through the 2027-28 NBA season. His current base salary for the 2024-25 season is approximately $41 million, making him one of the highest-paid players on the Thunder roster. He serves as the team's primary ball-handler, closer, and defensive anchor, often guarding the opponent's best perimeter scorer in key moments. Check ESPN's detailed player page.
The Thunder organization views Gilgeous-Alexander as the cornerstone of their rebuild and competitive window. Under head coach Mark Daigneault, he has developed into a more efficient shooter and playmaker, improving his three-point percentage and assist numbers each season. He regularly leads the team in scoring, assists, and minutes played, and his usage rate ranks among the highest in the NBA. His leadership and clutch performance have drawn comparisons to elite guard prototypes in the modern league.
Career Statistics and Achievements
In his NBA career, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged over 24 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game on a career basis. His best scoring season to date came in 2023-24, when he averaged more than 30 points per game and finished among the league's top scorers. He has recorded multiple 40-point and 50-point games, including a 51-point performance against the Houston Rockets. His defensive metrics have also improved, with his defensive rating and steal numbers rising as he gains experience. View full career stats on Basketball Reference.
Among his career highlights are NBA All-Star selections, All-NBA team honors, and leading the Thunder to deep playoff runs. He has also represented Canada in international competitions, helping the national team qualify for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. His age and trajectory suggest he is entering his peak athletic and basketball years, with several more All-Star-caliber seasons expected