OKC Thunder Star Discusses Family Ties in FIBA World Cup

Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not only gets to represent his home country in the FIBA World Cup, but is able to do so alongside one of his family members.

It was no surprise to learn that Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be on Team Canada's roster for the FIBA World Cup this summer. 

After averaging 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and one block per game while shooting 51% from the field in 2022-23, Gilgeous-Alexander was named a First-Team All-NBA honoree. OKC's centerpiece led the team to a victory over the Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament before falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the final game of the Play-In. 

One of Minnesota's defensive stalwarts in that contest was Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who recorded three steals and two blocks in 37 minutes on the floor. 

This summer, Gilgeous-Alexander and his cousin, Alexander-Walker, get to play on the same team for a change. Both players will represent Canada in the FIBA World Cup, which is set to officially tip off on Friday, Aug. 25. 

The Oklahoma City star is understandably ecstatic to play alongside his cousin, telling SportsNet that he hopes the two are able to be on the same team again in the future.

“It’s always fun to play with him. I grew up playing with him. [This] is a dream come true,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Not a lot of people continue to get to play with their family. And hopefully that happens a lot of times in our career.”

Born roughly 50 days apart, Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker have always been close, according to family members.

“They slept in the same bed, any chance they could be together they would be, they were on the phone together all the time,” Shai’s father, Vaughn Alexander, told SportsNet. “They were linked up 24-7, that’s why they’re so close now.”

Despite never getting to play on the same NBA squad, Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker have maintained a good relationship. Following a Pelicans game in Oklahoma City a few years ago, the two embraced and traded jerseys. 

Last season, Alexander-Walker averaged 6.2 points, 1.8 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game. With his defensive acumen alongside Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks and the host of other talented defenders on Team Canada, the Canadians will have a good chance at playing for the championship in this year's World Cup.

With Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray to carry the load offensively, Team Canada appears to be one of the fiercest competitors in FIBA this summer.

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