Canadian basketball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has finished in the top five in the 2023 NBA MVP voting, the league announced on May 2. Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers was named the 2023 MVP, with Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum rounding out the top four. Gilgeous-Alexander’s fifth-place finish is a significant achievement for the 24-year-old, as he becomes only the second Canadian to receive votes for the prestigious award, after two-time MVP Steve Nash.
In the 2022-23 season, Gilgeous-Alexander proved himself as an All-Star, and was also a finalist for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. He finished fourth in the NBA in both points and steals per game, with an average of 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks over 66 games. These impressive numbers place him in the company of Hall of Fame players Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, as one of the only players in NBA history to register at least 30 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block per game in a season.
Gilgeous-Alexander also proved his value to his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading them to the Play-In Tournament and falling just one win short of reaching the NBA Playoffs. His top-five finish in the MVP voting is just one of many accolades he is likely to receive this season, as he is expected to earn a spot on the All-NBA Team.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance this season has solidified his status as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, and fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating his continued development in the coming years.