Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Hamilton native, has had an exceptional year, culminating in being named The Canadian Press's Male Athlete of the Year for the second time in his career. The announcement was made on Saturday following a voting process involving editors, writers, and broadcasters across Canada. Gilgeous-Alexander secured the honor after an impressive 2025 season in which he achieved significant personal and team accomplishments, including winning the NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and the league's scoring title. He also led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their second championship in franchise history and their first since 1979, when they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics.

Rowan Barrett, the general manager of Canada’s men’s national basketball team, expressed his admiration for Gilgeous-Alexander, stating, “It’s not really even debatable as to whether he’s one of the best players in the world. I mean, there’s zero debate now.” Gilgeous-Alexander received an overwhelming 89.3 percent of the votes cast, far ahead of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who came in second. Other notable athletes, including tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime and race walker Evan Dunfee, also garnered votes.

Known by the nickname SGA, Gilgeous-Alexander previously received the CP Male Athlete of the Year award in 2023, after he led Canada to its first-ever medal at the FIBA World Cup and secured qualification for the Summer Olympics, marking the first time in 24 years. He stands among an elite group of 17 athletes who have won this award twice, a list that includes hockey greats Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito, and Mario Lemieux, as well as tennis star Milos Raonic. The only other basketball player to achieve this honor is Hall of Famer Steve Nash, who has three awards to his name.

During the 2025 season, the six-foot-six Gilgeous-Alexander had an outstanding average of 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, five rebounds, 1.7 steals, and one block per game. His contributions helped the Oklahoma City Thunder secure the best regular-season record in the NBA's Western Conference, leading to playoff victories against the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves before clinching the championship against the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Finals, where he scored 29 points and had 12 assists.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s distinction of being the second Canadian to win NBA MVP, following Steve Nash, places him in a prestigious category alongside legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal, as he is also one of only four players to win both the MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. Sports commentator Signa Butler praised him, emphasizing how his journey from humble beginnings to elite status illustrates the merits of hard work and determination.

As the Thunder continue to excel in the ongoing season with a record of 26-5, Gilgeous-Alexander is once again showcasing MVP-caliber performances, averaging 32.1 points, 6.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Jamie Nye of Rawlco Radio highlighted Gilgeous-Alexander’s excellence not just in the early part of 2025 but also as his contributions persist through the latter part of the year.

Beyond his on-court achievements, Gilgeous-Alexander has gained respect for his off-court qualities. Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic remarked on his character, sharing an anecdote about Gilgeous-Alexander’s dedication to his fans, noting that he often spends up to 45 minutes signing autographs after games. Barrett echoed these sentiments, stating that Gilgeous-Alexander’s humility and authenticity shine through in his interactions with fans and his understanding of his responsibilities as a public figure.

Fellow NBA players also recognize his continuous improvement. Boston Celtics guard Derrick White commented on Gilgeous-Alexander's growth, attributing his success to his hard work and character. The accolades from the basketball community affirm the notable impact he has made both on and off the court.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2025.