Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made Canadian sports history on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, California. He became the first Canadian to ever win the best athlete in men’s sports at the ESPY Awards (the annual sports award show produced by ESPN). Gilgeous-Alexander also became the second Canadian to ever win the award for the best NBA player. The first was Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash of Victoria, British Columbia in 2005.
In the best athlete in men’s sports award, Gilgeous-Alexander beat out baseball player Shohei Ohtani, and football players Saquon Barkley and Josh Allen. In the best NBA player award category, Gilgeous-Alexander beat out Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum.
This season, Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA in points per game (32.7), free throws made per game (7.9), total points (2484), total field goals made (860), and total free throws made (601). Gilgeous-Alexander also averaged five rebounds per game, 6.4 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game, and one block per game. He had a field goal percentage of .519, three point percentage of .375, and free throw percentage of .898.
In the 2025 NBA playoffs, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a league high 32.7 points per game and led the Thunder to a championship. He also averaged 6.4 assists per game, five rebounds per game, 1.7 steals per game and one block per game. Gilgeous-Alexander had a field goal percentage of .519, free throw percentage of .898, and three point percentage of .375. Gilgeous-Alexander also became the fourth player ever to lead the NBA in scoring, be named NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP in the same season.