Recently crowned NBA World Champion and 2024/25 Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), is on a torrid, upward trajectory of success that very few players in NBA history have ever experienced. He stands alone as the only Canadian-born basketball player to have captured both an NBA Championship and MVP in the same season.
SGA’s game has evolved from the time when he entered the gym as a blue-chip recruit for the University of Kentucky (coach John Calipari). In one year, SGA transformed everything from his physical appearance to his style of play. Entering as a projected 6th man who could shoot, SGA put in the time in the weight room and practice, leaving Kentucky’s tenured and legendary coach with little option but to start him at point guard, as a freshman.
“He’s got that ice-cold, killer mentality.” – Former University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari, when asked about SGA’s court presence
It is precisely this level of fierce competitiveness that distinguishes SGA from other exceptionally talented NBA stars. His gifts lie in his unique ability to persevere in the face of defeat. Similar to Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James, the killer mentality enters the NBA as a simmering, dormant volcano.
Once these generational players become comfortable in their surroundings and are provided with an acceptable supporting cast, they can effectively turn up the dial of explosiveness, rendering the idea of losing almost comical. This is the progression of SGA’s career in the NBA. This is also how SGA will serve to lead and transform the Canadian men’s basketball team to a gold medal at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
It is fair to say that the depth of both Team USA and Team France far exceeded that of Canada’s in the 2024 Paris Olympics. That will no longer be the case in 2028. The proverbial torch for the US will be passed from Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron down to Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton.
For Team France, an aging Rudy Gobert will be approaching retirement, putting pressure on what should, by then, be a fully established, all-world star in Viktor Wembanyama. Both of these teams will still be awesome and highly competitive, but they will not be progressing and moulding together as a growing force to the same extent that Team Canada will be in 2028
The core group for Canada’s Dream Team in 2028, will be comprised of SGA (age 29 in 2028), his OKC teammate and one of the best defensive players in the NBA, Luguentz Dort (29), RJ Barrett (28), Jamal Murray (31), and Dillon Brooks (32), With up-and-coming 7ft4, Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey seemingly getting better with more playing time, pressure will taken off of aging center Dwight Powell, who should still make the team.
There is also a wave of talent set to be unveiled from Canada via the NBA draft, which is scheduled to take place this week. Among the projected first-round selections are Will Riley, an electric small forward out of Illinois, who is poised to make an impact at the next level. There will be options for Team Canada in Los Angeles. When SGA is set to compete with these favourable conditions, there will be no stopping him.
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