From Lexington to League Legend: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Unstoppable Ascent Culminates in 2024-25 NBA MVP Triumph

The echoes of Rupp Arena have always resonated with the aspirations of future NBA stars, but for years, one coveted individual honor eluded the illustrious alumni of the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball program: the NBA Most Valuable Player award. That drought, a curious anomaly for a school that consistently churns out professional talent, officially ended on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the dazzling guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was officially crowned the 2024-25 NBA MVP. This moment marked not only a personal pinnacle for the 26-year-old Canadian phenom but also a monumental milestone for the Wildcat legacy, etching Gilgeous-Alexander’s name into the annals of both NBA and Kentucky basketball history as the first former Wildcat to achieve this distinction.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP season was nothing short of spectacular, a masterclass in offensive efficiency, defensive tenacity, and profound leadership. He didn’t just win the award; he dominated the conversation, earning 71 out of 100 first-place votes, decisively outdistancing two-time and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, who received the remaining 29. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks rounded out the top three. This victory was the culmination of a steady, relentless climb up the league’s hierarchy for Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished fifth in MVP voting in 2022-23 and runner-up in the 2023-24 season. His unwavering dedication and continuous improvement had clearly paid off in resounding fashion.

The statistics from Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2024-25 campaign paint a vivid picture of his all-encompassing impact. He led the NBA in scoring with a career-high 32.7 points per game, doing so with remarkable efficiency, shooting 51.9% from the field. This scoring prowess was complemented by career-best averages of 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game, showcasing his evolution into a truly multifaceted offensive threat. Beyond the raw numbers, his ability to get to the free-throw line with uncanny regularity and convert at an elite 89.8% clip proved to be a consistent weapon, making him nearly impossible to guard without fouling. He also demonstrated significant defensive prowess, ranking 11th in the league with 1.7 steals per game and adding 1.0 blocks, making him one of the only players in the league to average at least 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks, further highlighting his two-way impact.

His offensive production was particularly historic. Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player since James Harden in 2018-19 to lead the league in games with at least 20, 30, 40, and 50 points. His 72-game streak of scoring 20 or more points was the fourth-longest in NBA history and the longest since Oscar Robertson’s 76-game run in 1963-64. These aren’t merely impressive statistics; they are benchmarks of sustained excellence that place him in the company of the game’s all-time greats.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP narrative extends far beyond individual statistics. He was the undeniable engine behind the Oklahoma City Thunder’s remarkable ascent to the top of the Western Conference. Under his leadership, the Thunder finished the regular season with a league-best 68-14 record, far exceeding expectations and signaling their arrival as a legitimate championship contender. Their impressive point differential, an NBA-record 12.9 points per game, shattered the previous mark held by the 1971-72 Lakers, underscoring their collective dominance. Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to elevate his teammates and consistently perform at a high level, game in and game out, was instrumental in fostering the Thunder’s winning culture. His post-MVP announcement speech, surrounded by his teammates and gifting them Rolex watches, served as a powerful testament to his team-first mentality and the respect he commands in the locker room.

The journey for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander began far from the bright lights of the NBA, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His path to stardom was not linear. As a freshman, he didn’t even make his high school’s varsity team, a setback that could have derailed a lesser individual. Yet, it fueled his relentless work ethic. His dedication brought him to the University of Kentucky, a program renowned for molding NBA talent. In his lone season with the Wildcats in 2017-18, Gilgeous-Alexander showcased flashes of the brilliance to come, averaging 14.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. He was named the MVP of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, leading Kentucky to the title and earning All-SEC Second Team and All-SEC Freshman Team honors.

Drafted 11th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and then immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, Gilgeous-Alexander spent just one season in Los Angeles before a pivotal trade sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the blockbuster deal for Paul George. This move, initially seen as a haul of draft picks for the Thunder, quickly became about the emergence of a superstar. Under the tutelage of head coach Mark Daigneault and alongside a young, talented Thunder squad, Gilgeous-Alexander steadily refined his game. He transitioned from a promising young player to an All-Star, and then to a perennial MVP candidate, consistently improving his scoring, playmaking, and overall impact year after year.

His MVP win is a source of immense pride for the University of Kentucky. For a program that consistently sends more players to the NBA than any other, the absence of an MVP until now was a surprising gap in their impressive resume. Anthony Davis, another prominent Kentucky alumnus, came close, finishing third in MVP voting in the 2016-17 season. But it was Gilgeous-Alexander who finally broke through, solidifying his place as arguably the greatest NBA player to emerge from the John Calipari era at Kentucky. His success serves as an inspiration for current and future Wildcats, demonstrating that the foundation laid in Lexington can indeed lead to the pinnacle of individual achievement in professional basketball.

As the NBA playoffs continue, Gilgeous-Alexander’s focus remains on the ultimate team prize: an NBA championship. Having already led the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals, he has a chance to etch his name even deeper into history by becoming the first player since Stephen Curry in 2014-15 to win the scoring title, MVP award, and an NBA championship in the same season. Regardless of the outcome of the current postseason, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2024-25 season will be remembered as a defining moment in his career, a testament to his relentless dedication, remarkable skill, and undeniable impact on the game. For Kentucky, it’s a long-awaited and richly deserved validation of their enduring legacy in producing basketball’s elite. The kid from Hamilton, Ontario, who once couldn’t make his high school’s varsity team, now stands tall as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere, and a source of immense pride for the Big Blue Nation.