The Oklahoma City Thunder must be excited about what they saw from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The Summer classic ended Sunday morning as Team Canada matched up with Team USA in the third-place game.
These two teams were projected to be facing off for the Gold. Still, instead, an overtime Bronze tilt would send the basketball world on fire about the OKC Thunder max contract point guard as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped lead Team Canada to a win over global hoops powerhouse Team USA.
Twitter Reacts: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Canada to Bronze in win over Team USA.
I can’t stop watching this
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) September 10, 2023
pic.twitter.com/SqkdUZP4p6
SGA was the best player in the court against the USA
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) September 10, 2023
It wasn’t close
Also, it’s so abundantly clear that Shai is just the dude on the court right now. He made All-NBA last year and it looks like he has gotten better again based on this tournament. Not sure we know what his ceiling is yet. Legitimately incredible player.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) September 10, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Team USA
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) September 10, 2023
31 PTS
11-20 FG
6 REB
12 AST
1 TO
1 BLK
1 BRONZE MEDAL 🥉 pic.twitter.com/bOkZ7VWp6d
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Dillon Brooks pic.twitter.com/WDk1S9naRH
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 10, 2023
Just gonna preemptively say I’m picking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as my 2024-25 MVP.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) September 10, 2023
I think the team is just a bit too young for it to happen this year, and we collectively owe Jokic an apology trophy anyway, but it won’t be long before we start filling SGA’s trophy case.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, man of the people. 🇨🇦#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/FJLnI4RF5s
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a historic run for Team Canada in the 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament. He finished by averaging 23 points, five assists, and six rebounds per game while posting 2.2 STOCKS on the defensive end per tilt.
While many questioned if last season was a fluke for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he proved that was not the case as he posted 54 percent from the floor, 29 percent from beyond the arc, and 87 percent from the charity stripe.
With NBA Training camp right around the corner, the exciting FIBA World Cup run from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only adds to the excitement for OKC Thunder fans.