If you’d told a basketball fan five years ago that a quiet kid from Toronto would be standing in Las Vegas holding the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year trophy after leading Oklahoma City to a title, they’d probably have asked who you were talking about. Honestly, the rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—or just SGA to basically everyone now—is one of those "slow burn" stories that suddenly turned into a wildfire.
It isn't just about the points. It's about the shift.
On January 6, 2026, when Shai walked onto that stage at the Wynn Las Vegas, it felt like the official coronation of the NBA’s new era. We’ve spent a decade obsessing over LeBron, Steph, and KD. But 2025 belonged to the guy who plays at his own pace, wears clothes that look like they're from the future, and somehow made a small-market team the most terrifying force in professional sports.
The Year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Broke the Script
Winning the SI Sportsperson of the Year award is a legacy play. It’s not just a "player of the week" vibe. You’re joining a list with Muhammad Ali, Serena Williams, and Tiger Woods.
Shai earned it by pulling off a trifecta that usually only happens in video games. In 2025, he wasn't just good; he was inevitable. He bagged the NBA MVP, led the Thunder to a franchise-record 68 wins, and then capped it off with an NBA Finals MVP after a brutal seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers.
He’s only the fourth player in history to win the scoring title, the MVP, and the Finals MVP in the same calendar year. That's elite. Like, "first-ballot Hall of Fame" elite.
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What’s wild is how he does it. Coaches call him a "6’6” Tim Duncan" because he never seems to be in a rush. He doesn't have the 40-inch vertical of a young Vince Carter. He doesn't have the lightning-fast release of Steph Curry. He just... gets there. He uses angles and pace in a way that makes defenders look like they're moving through waist-deep water.
More Than Just a Hooper
While Shai was dominating the hardwood, the sports world saw a massive shift in who we celebrate. It wasn't just about the guys. A’ja Wilson was named TIME’s 2025 Athlete of the Year, and if you haven't been paying attention to the WNBA, you’re missing the most dominant run in modern history.
A’ja did the unthinkable. She won:
- The WNBA Championship (her third).
- League MVP (her fourth, a record).
- Defensive Player of the Year.
- Finals MVP.
She literally wore a "Thanos" gauntlet at the victory parade with the trophies listed on the Infinity Stones. It was a mood. Between Shai and A’ja, 2025 was the year of the basketball "collector"—athletes who didn't just want to win, they wanted to own every single category possible.
Why the "Sportsperson of the Year" Title Still Carries Weight
In a world of 24-hour highlights and TikTok clips, you’d think these awards are just fluff. They aren't. They represent the "cultural thermostat."
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Take Rory McIlroy, for instance. He was named the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year after finally breaking his major drought at the Masters and carrying Europe to a Ryder Cup victory. For a guy who had been "the next big thing" for a decade, that award was a validation of his persistence.
The Sportsperson of the Year honor usually looks for three things:
- Unprecedented Dominance: Did you break records? (Shai’s 68 wins).
- Clutch Factor: Did you win when it mattered? (A’ja’s 16-game win streak to end the season).
- Off-Field Impact: Are people talking about you when the whistle stops?
Shai’s fashion sense—the "tunnel fits" and his Met Gala appearances—made him a brand before he was even a champion. He’s the first Canadian to win the SI award solo since Wayne Gretzky in 1982. Think about that. In a hockey-mad country, a basketball player is now the North Star.
The "SGA" Effect on Small Markets
Honestly, the coolest part of Shai winning Sportsperson of the Year isn't the trophy. It’s what it did for Oklahoma City. For years, the narrative was that superstars eventually leave for LA or Miami.
Shai stayed. He signed the supermax. He built a culture.
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His 2025 season wasn't just a personal win; it was a proof of concept. You can be the most stylish, most marketed, and most successful athlete in the world while playing in a "flyover" state. He turned the Thunder into a global brand. When you see kids in Toronto or London wearing OKC jerseys, that’s the Shai effect.
Surprising Stats from the 2025 Run
We focus on the points (he averaged 32.1 per game), but the efficiency is what’s truly gross. He shot nearly 52% from the paint. For a guard, that’s basically cheating. He also got to the free-throw line nine times a game. Rival coaches literally complained to the media that there was no legal way to stop him.
What’s Next for the "Sportsperson of the Year" Winners?
Winning this award is often a peak, but for the 2025 class, it feels like a starting gun. Shai is already the favorite for the 2026 MVP. A’ja Wilson is openly talking about chasing three more rings to catch Michael Jordan.
They aren't satisfied.
If you're looking to follow in these footsteps or just understand the greatness, there are a few things to keep an eye on. First, watch the tape. Don't just watch the dunks; watch how Shai uses his feet. It’s a masterclass in balance. Second, look at the leadership. Both Shai and A’ja took struggling mid-season teams and willed them to 16+ game winning streaks.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Athlete:
- Master the Basics: Shai’s game is built on footwork and pace, not raw athleticism.
- Ignore the "Regression" Talk: When the media said the Aces were washed, A’ja used it as fuel for her "regression year" merch.
- Build a Brand Beyond the Game: Your interests outside of sports (like fashion or writing) make you more relatable and marketable.
The 2025 Sportsperson of the Year honors proved that the "new guard" isn't just coming—they're already here, and they've brought the trophies to prove it.