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Further diving into our top 25 player rankings, this article features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is an incredibly gifted young talent, quickly rising the ranks and establishing himself as a superstar-level player. At 25 years old, Gilgeous-Alexander has a surprising amount of experience and now looks to lead the Oklahoma Thunder to high heights this season.
Top 25 NBA Players 2023-24: No 12 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A Rising Superstar
Since entering the league in 2018, Gilgeous-Alexander has made an all-around impact and contributed to winning. He is an elite scorer and shot-creator, especially at the rim. He is also one of the league’s most gifted isolation scorers. This elite scoring ability has helped him become one of the league’s best players. At six-foot-six, Gilgeous-Alexander is an ideal combo guard and has tons of offensive versatility as a result.
Additionally, he is a capable playmaker and connective piece. He has long been considered a talented young player and franchise cornerstone for OKC. However, last year established Gilgeous-Alexander as a rising superstar with MVP upside. No player made a bigger jump in the rankings from last year than Shai.
Season Recap
Last season was a breakout year for Gilgeous-Alexander. In his fifth season, he averaged a career-high 31 PPG and led the Thunder to a surprising 40-42 record. Going into last year, Oklahoma City was projected to be at the bottom of the West again, especially with the loss of 2022 second-overall pick Chet Holmgren. However, the Thunder exceeded expectations due to Gilgeous-Alexander’s greatness, key contributions from other young players, and great coaching. The team finished with a winning record and was just a game away from making the playoffs. As a result of this breakout season and increased team success, Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the All-NBA First Team. He also finished second in the Most Improved Player race.
Season Outlook
After a successful season last year and the return of Holmgren, the expectations are sky-high for the Thunder. Many people anticipate OKC to make a playoff jump in large part due to Gilgeous-Alexander’s excellence. Furthermore, the Thunder drafted Cason Wallace with the 10th overall pick. Wallace projects to be a high-level two-way guard and fits like a glove next to Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder’s combination of elite young talent and a rising superstar feels like a winning recipe for a playoff team.
Furthermore, young teams have had tons of regular-season success in recent years, and the Thunder could follow this trend. Similarly, many people are expecting Gilgeous-Alexander to make another jump in play and become a consensus top 10 player. A jump in the standings and Gilgeous-Alexander rising in the rankings would go hand in hand.
The Last Word
As of now, Gilgeous-Alexander is on the brink of being a top-10 player. However, if the Thunder can make another jump, he will likely secure a spot in the top 10. Furthermore, Shai has plenty of upside and is just entering his prime. It’s safe to predict that he will be one of the league’s best players for the foreseeable future. Ultimately, with an incredibly talented roster, he and the Thunder are poised to be a massive threat in the West for years to come.
More must-reads:
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- The 'Most points in a playoff game by team' quiz
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