Kentucky congratulates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on winning MVP with a full-page advertisement.
Following a stellar season in which he averaged 32.7 points per game and guided his team to a 68-14 record, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received his first-ever MVP award on Wednesday. Gilgeous-Alexander became the first Kentucky Wildcat to win MVP in NBA history during a long playoff run that might lead to an NBA championship. Lexington won’t forget this historic honour.
Kentucky also acknowledged the honour, as the Wildcats congratulated their alumni with a full-page ad in The Oklahoman, the local newspaper in Oklahoma City.
“You moved to Lexington in June 2017 as a little child from Hamilton, Ontario. In their congratulations advertisement, the Wildcats stated, “You had a mission and a dream.” Before pursuing your life’s ambition of playing among the NBA’s top players, you gave us an SEC Tournament title and innumerable more memories. We are very proud of the player, teammate, and man you have grown into. You have always been unique, and now you are the best—not just playing with the best. the first NBA MVP award ever given to a Kentucky Wildcat. Congratulations, Shai, from the whole Big Blue Nation and our Wildcat family.
During the 2017–2018 season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 14.4 points per game while playing for Kentucky. Before being moved to the Clippers, where he eventually participated in the Paul George deal to Los Angeles, he was selected by the Hornets with the 11th overall pick. He has been a pillar of the Oklahoma City franchise ever since.
The Thunder are in the lead to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves last night to take a 3-1 series lead. As he looks to win his first title, he will be essential to Oklahoma City’s success.
