If you watch a single Oklahoma City Thunder game, you’ll see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bring the ball up the court, initiate the set, and probably end up taking the shot. Naturally, you’d call him a point guard. Most box scores do. But if you ask a purist or look at how Mark Daigneault actually deploys his superstar, the answer to shai gilgeous alexander position gets a whole lot more complicated.
He’s 6'6". He has a wingspan that seems to stretch from Oklahoma City to Tulsa. He plays with a slithery, stop-and-start rhythm that feels more like a creative wing than a traditional floor general. Honestly, trying to pin him down to one spot on the hardwood is a bit like trying to catch a shadow.
The Point Guard vs. Shooting Guard Identity Crisis
For years, the NBA has been moving toward "positionless" basketball, and Shai is the poster child for this shift. During the 2024-25 season, where he famously swept the MVP, Finals MVP, and the scoring title, he spent the vast majority of his minutes listed as a point guard. But look at the shot volume. He averaged a league-high 32.7 points per game. That is shooting guard territory.
Some fans on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) argue that he’s a "SG playing out of position." They point to his scoring-first mentality. Others counter that since he has the ball 90% of the time, he’s clearly the 1. The truth is somewhere in the middle. He’s a combo guard who functions as a primary engine.
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Why the Label Matters (And Why It Doesn't)
Labels matter for All-NBA voting and All-Star ballots, but they don't mean much once the whistle blows. In the 2025-26 season, the Thunder have often run lineups featuring multiple ball-handlers. With Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren handling playmaking duties too, Shai often slides into an off-ball role where he can act as a secondary "spacer" or a devastating cutter.
- Height: 6'6" (Measured at 6'4.5" without shoes)
- Wingspan: 7'0"
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Primary Duty: 3-Level Playmaker
He’s currently averaging about 31.6 points and 6.4 assists. Those assists are the key. If he were just a "shooting guard," those numbers would be lower. But he’s also not a "pass-first" point guard in the vein of a Chris Paul or Tyrese Haliburton. He uses his gravity as a scorer to create open looks for others.
The Evolution of the "Big Guard"
Back when Shai was at Kentucky, he wasn't even the starter initially. He sat behind Quade Green. Once he took over, he showed the world what a "big guard" could do. Fast forward to 2026, and he’s redefined the archetype.
He’s not fast in the traditional sense. He doesn't have the lightning-quick first step of a Ja Morant. Instead, he uses "pace manipulation." He’ll lure a defender into a false sense of security, then suddenly change speeds or use a head fake to get to the rim. It's crafty. It’s calculated.
Basically, his position is "the guy you can't guard."
Defending Every Position
One of the most overlooked aspects of the shai gilgeous alexander position discussion is what he does on the other end. Because of his 7-foot wingspan, he doesn't just guard point guards. He’s a "Versatile Stopper."
Last season, he tied for the league lead in steals. He’s currently averaging nearly a block per game. That’s insane for a guard. He can switch onto small forwards and hold his own in the post, then immediately turn around and chase a 6'2" shooter around a screen. This defensive flexibility is what allowed OKC to build a championship-caliber defense. If he were a "traditional" small point guard, the Thunder would have to hide him. Instead, they use him as a weapon.
Stats That Tell the Real Story
If you look at his 2025-26 advanced metrics, you see a player who defies classification. His True Shooting percentage is hovering around 66-68%. For a guy who takes as many mid-range shots as he does, that’s statistically improbable.
Most "shooting guards" rely on others to get them the ball. Shai creates his own. Most "point guards" struggle to finish over length. Shai thrives there. He’s currently second in the league in scoring while ranking in the top 10 for steals and deflections.
Honestly, the "position" debate is a distraction. Whether he's a PG or an SG, his impact is that of a franchise-altering force. He leads the Thunder in usage rate, but he also leads them in "clutch" scoring. When the game is on the line, the ball is in his hands, regardless of what the lineup sheet says.
Misconceptions About Shai's Role
A common myth is that Shai is a "ball hog" because of his high scoring. That's just wrong. His turnover percentage is incredibly low—around 7.66%—meaning he’s one of the most efficient decision-makers in the league.
Another misconception? That he’s a "foul merchant." While he does lead the league in free throw attempts, his 46-point outburst against the Utah Jazz in January 2026 showed he can score at will from the perimeter. He’s hitting over 41% of his threes this season. If you sag off him, he’ll burn you. If you play him tight, he’ll drive. It’s a literal "pick your poison" scenario.
The Daigneault Factor
Coach Mark Daigneault deserves a lot of credit for how he’s handled Shai’s position. By surrounding him with "connectors" like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort, Daigneault has allowed Shai to focus on what he does best: breaking down the defense.
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The addition of Caruso has been huge. Caruso takes the toughest defensive assignment, allowing Shai to play a "free safety" role on defense, hunting for steals and blocks. On offense, Caruso can bring the ball up, allowing Shai to start his movement from the wing. This makes him even harder to track.
How to Watch Shai Like an Expert
If you want to really understand the shai gilgeous alexander position and how he plays, don't just follow the ball.
- Watch his feet: See how he uses wide steps to freeze defenders.
- Look at his release point: He’s moved his set point higher in 2025, making his jump shot almost impossible to contest.
- Note the switches: Count how many different types of players he guards in a single quarter.
- Observe the gravity: Watch how many defenders collapse toward him the second he touches the paint.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a unicorn. He is a 6'6" point guard with the scoring instincts of a shooting guard and the defensive reach of a forward. While the NBA might still require a "position" to be listed next to his name, he’s proven that the best players in the world are the ones who can't be put in a box.
As the Thunder continue their quest for back-to-back titles in 2026, expect Shai to keep blurring these lines. He isn't just playing a position; he's defining a new era of basketball where the only thing that matters is the result on the scoreboard.
Check the box scores and the injury reports for the next Thunder game to see where he's listed, but don't be surprised when you see him doing everything on the court at once. That's just Shai. He’s essentially positionless.