Latest news with #Gilgeous-Alexander
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Allen Iverson attends Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's youth basketball camp
In the driest part of the NBA calendar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins the long list of players who've returned home for the next couple of months. The Oklahoma City Thunder will kick off training camp in two months to defend their NBA championship. It's been quite the year for Gilgeous-Alexander. He won about every individual award imaginable. The 27-year-old captured the MVP, Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. He also capped off one of the greatest seasons ever with a ring. After Gilgeous-Alexander cemented himself as one of the NBA's top faces, he traveled to Toronto recently to host his annual youth basketball camp. Most players across the league participate in this activity during the offseason in their hometowns. Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, Allen Iverson was also in attendance. The Hall-of-Famer had a huge influence on NBA players who grew up in the 2000s, like Gilgeous-Alexander. At his peak, Iverson was a one-time MVP winner who averaged 30-plus points. He led the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA Finals appearance. Gilgeous-Alexander has previously talked ad nauseam about his affinity for Iverson. It's easy to see why. Both have similar builds and score in similar ways. What Gilgeous-Alexander means to kids today is what Iverson meant to the previous generation of fans. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander invited Allen Iverson to pull up and speak at his youth camp in Toronto 🙌AI was one of SGA's favorite players growing up 🥲(via @CityNewsTO)
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Carmelo Anthony on what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ring means to mid-range truthers
Watching the Oklahoma City Thunder complete one of the greatest seasons ever with an NBA championship, Carmelo Anthony and DeMar DeRozan were secretly rooting for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win a ring to push their agendas. For years now, Anthony and DeRozan have seen the mid-range jumper on the brink of extinction. It's an endangered shot attempt. Most front offices are analytically savvy enough to understand it's a bad shot for most of the league. Instead, volume increases on layups and 3-pointers have taken over the NBA. But there are always exceptions to the rules. The three players above fit in that category for mid-range jumpers. Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the greatest individual seasons ever because of his mid-range jumper. The MVP, Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP brought home a scoring title because of his heavy within-the-perimeter scoring attack. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points on 51.9% shooting. It was his third straight superb-efficient 30-plus point campaign. What makes it even more impressive is how he got to those numbers. If you look at his shot chart, it's all drives to the basket and mid-range jumpers. His outside shot has always looked pedestrian, but that's irrelevant for the NBA's best shot-creator. Anthony sees the value in that. He feels vindicated for vouching for the mid-range jumper his entire life after carving out a Hall of Fame career out of taking those types of shots to be known as one of the greatest scorers of his era. He talked about Gilgeous-Alexander's championship and what it means for mid-range truthers on his "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast. "Any championship team, they win the game in the mid-range. I don't give a f--- who it is. I don't care how many threes you shoot. When it comes down to it, you have to get a bucket," Anthony said. "Your three ain't always going to be there. You ain't always going to be able to get to the rack. If you have a middy, you're dangerous. Shai is dangerous because he plays for taking the best shot." Anthony argued that the mid-range jumper is the most reliable shot to take. The outside shot is naturally volatile and defenses can eliminate driving lanes to the basket with either active perimeter defenders that stay in front of you or gigantic rim-protectors who will go up and contest your shot. "It ain't about numbers or shooting the trey. It's about taking the best shot. If you back off, I'm pulling. If I'm in the paint, I get here and this shot is wide open, I'm taking this shot," Anthony said. "And just so happened, he started to master that mid-range when it comes to using his body, knowing his space, knowing where to get at, knowing angles. He's playing off of angles." Anthony then discussed the science of the mid-range jumper. He broke down how relevant geometry is to hunting out mid-range shots. It's always fascinating to hear an expert break down what they know best in their field. For Anthony, it's the art of taking a contested jumper. "The middy is all about angles," Anthony said. "If I get this angle and I get this shoulder on it, there's nothing you can do about it. If you bite back, I'm gonna shot fake and you're done." While the rest of the NBA has taken a layups-or-3-pointers approach, Gilgeous-Alexander has zagged with the mid-range jumper. Being able to knock down tough shots despite defenders all over him is what's separated him from being a good scorer to one of the best all-time players. Now, it's won him an NBA championship with plenty more room to grow.
Fashion Network
5 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Converse's Brodrick Foster: "Shai's signature model reflects his game and personality".
In 2025, Converse scored a major basketball coup. The Nike Group brand is well versed in design collaborations and its recent partnerships span Isabel Marant, Feng Chen Wang, Beyond Retro, and artists Tyler the Creator and Charli XCX. Last year, the brand strengthened its team by bringing in an NBA basketball star: Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The sportsman is point guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder team and has worked with the brand since 2020. As "creative director" of Converse's Hoops range dedicated to basketball, Gilgeous-Alexander unveiled his signature model, the Shai 001, earlier this year. At a time when Converse is experiencing a slowdown in its business (sales down 19% to 1.69 billion dollars this fiscal year, to the end of May), to the point of being entrusted to new leadership, the choice of Gilgeous-Alexander has proved most judicious. SGA is NBA 2025 champion with OKC, best player of the season, and best player of the finals, as well as a top scorer. This autumn, Converse will roll out SGA's new signature shoe. Behind the development of this collaboration is Brodrick Foster, Converse's global senior director, product and merchandising - sport style. Foster detailed the steps involved in creating a signature model with a top sportsman for At Converse, how many athletes have their own signature shoe, and how do you define an approach for each one? Broderick Foster: Shai is the first Converse basketball player to have a signature shoe in many years. For us, a signature shoe isn't just about putting an athlete's name on a box. It's about building something that reflects their game, personality and style. For each of them, it's first about understanding who they are from a creative point of view, not just a competitive one, and then designing a product that's an extension of their personality. FNW: Is the Shai 001 a new silhouette or is it based on a previous Converse performance shoe? BF: It's completely new. We weren't inspired by a previous silhouette. We were inspired by Shai's sketches, comments and vision. The Shai 001 is a model in its own right, designed from the outset to match his way of moving and seeing the game. FNW: What are the features of the Shai 001? BF: The Shai 001 was strictly designed to be a performance basketball shoe. But because it's Shai, it also has off-court appeal. The shoe features radial traction for abrupt movement, Zoom Air in the forefoot for responsiveness, and a low heel for court feel. It also features a padded upper, lockable zipper and sculptural shank, because Shai wanted a shoe that could be worn anywhere. FNW: Who works on these projects? BF: It all starts with the athlete, of course. Shai was involved from day one. Then there are the product managers, designers, developers and, right up to the launch, the marketing, communications and sales teams who bring the product and the story to life. Everyone is involved, and we're constantly meeting to make sure we deliver the best possible product. Ultimately, it's a collaborative process between brand and athlete, and we iterate until we're both convinced of the rightness of the product. FNW: How quickly do you launch your signature shoes? BF: Designing a signature shoe can take between 18 and 24 months, sometimes longer. With Shai, we worked to very tight deadlines, but every detail was deliberate. Once a signature shoe has come into its own, you don't necessarily want to rush into the next one. You have to let it breathe and allow it to gain a certain notoriety with consumers. In general, a model works for one or two seasons before moving on to the next chapter. FNW: How are new colour launches staggered over the course of a season? BF: We try not to flood the market and launch new colours just to fill a calendar. We intentionally space out the launches to give each one a chance to take root and resonate with fans. In Shai's case, all the colours he's worn so far are linked to a person or place that has influenced him. This allows us to tell an authentic story about who Shai is. FNW: From a marketing point of view, how are model launches supported? BF: We build up the pressure right from the start with teasers, seeding, media previews, then add a layer of storytelling about the performance, design and voice of the athlete. We try to create a rhythm that creates desire and keeps the product in the conversation. Exclusive models carry more weight because they are associated with an athlete. There are more investments, more stories to tell and more expectations.
Fashion Network
5 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Converse's Brodrick Foster: "Shai's signature model reflects his game and personality".
In 2025, Converse scored a major basketball coup. The Nike Group brand is well versed in design collaborations and its recent partnerships span Isabel Marant, Feng Chen Wang, Beyond Retro, and artists Tyler the Creator and Charli XCX. Last year, the brand strengthened its team by bringing in an NBA basketball star: Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The sportsman is point guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder team and has worked with the brand since 2020. As "creative director" of Converse's Hoops range dedicated to basketball, Gilgeous-Alexander unveiled his signature model, the Shai 001, earlier this year. At a time when Converse is experiencing a slowdown in its business (sales down 19% to 1.69 billion dollars this fiscal year, to the end of May), to the point of being entrusted to new leadership, the choice of Gilgeous-Alexander has proved most judicious. SGA is NBA 2025 champion with OKC, best player of the season, and best player of the finals, as well as a top scorer. This autumn, Converse will roll out SGA's new signature shoe. Behind the development of this collaboration is Brodrick Foster, Converse's global senior director, product and merchandising - sport style. Foster detailed the steps involved in creating a signature model with a top sportsman for At Converse, how many athletes have their own signature shoe, and how do you define an approach for each one? Broderick Foster: Shai is the first Converse basketball player to have a signature shoe in many years. For us, a signature shoe isn't just about putting an athlete's name on a box. It's about building something that reflects their game, personality and style. For each of them, it's first about understanding who they are from a creative point of view, not just a competitive one, and then designing a product that's an extension of their personality. FNW: Is the Shai 001 a new silhouette or is it based on a previous Converse performance shoe? BF: It's completely new. We weren't inspired by a previous silhouette. We were inspired by Shai's sketches, comments and vision. The Shai 001 is a model in its own right, designed from the outset to match his way of moving and seeing the game. FNW: What are the features of the Shai 001? BF: The Shai 001 was strictly designed to be a performance basketball shoe. But because it's Shai, it also has off-court appeal. The shoe features radial traction for abrupt movement, Zoom Air in the forefoot for responsiveness, and a low heel for court feel. It also features a padded upper, lockable zipper and sculptural shank, because Shai wanted a shoe that could be worn anywhere. FNW: Who works on these projects? BF: It all starts with the athlete, of course. Shai was involved from day one. Then there are the product managers, designers, developers and, right up to the launch, the marketing, communications and sales teams who bring the product and the story to life. Everyone is involved, and we're constantly meeting to make sure we deliver the best possible product. Ultimately, it's a collaborative process between brand and athlete, and we iterate until we're both convinced of the rightness of the product. FNW: How quickly do you launch your signature shoes? BF: Designing a signature shoe can take between 18 and 24 months, sometimes longer. With Shai, we worked to very tight deadlines, but every detail was deliberate. Once a signature shoe has come into its own, you don't necessarily want to rush into the next one. You have to let it breathe and allow it to gain a certain notoriety with consumers. In general, a model works for one or two seasons before moving on to the next chapter. FNW: How are new colour launches staggered over the course of a season? BF: We try not to flood the market and launch new colours just to fill a calendar. We intentionally space out the launches to give each one a chance to take root and resonate with fans. In Shai's case, all the colours he's worn so far are linked to a person or place that has influenced him. This allows us to tell an authentic story about who Shai is. FNW: From a marketing point of view, how are model launches supported? BF: We build up the pressure right from the start with teasers, seeding, media previews, then add a layer of storytelling about the performance, design and voice of the athlete. We try to create a rhythm that creates desire and keeps the product in the conversation. Exclusive models carry more weight because they are associated with an athlete. There are more investments, more stories to tell and more expectations.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"This is just as much my MVP as it is his" - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander praises Jalen Williams during his 2025 Finals MVP speech
"This is just as much my MVP as it is his" - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander praises Jalen Williams during his 2025 Finals MVP speech originally appeared on Basketball Network. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history by winning the championship and Finals MVP award after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-91 victory against the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Still, he did not forget to give flowers to his teammate and fellow All-Star Jalen Williams. "Jalen Williams is a once-in-a-lifetime player," said Gilgeous-Alexander during his Finals MVP speech. "Without him, without his performances, without his big-time moments, big-time shot-making, big-time defending, everything he brings to this team, we don't win this championship. This is just my MVP as it is his. We'll share this one for a very long time. Like you said, we're etching the book forever. And Dub's a winner, for sure." A disastrous Game 6 performance Williams is the Thunder's second-best player. He is to Gilgeous-Alexander what Scottie Pippen was to Michael Jordan. Before Game 6, Williams had increased his points output in every game of the 2025 NBA Finals, including a career-high 40 in Game 5, which many saw as his coming-out party. But all the hype and praise disappeared after the Thunder guard had a terrible Game 6 — he scored 16 points and was a -40 in a losing effort. At that point, the confidence he worked so hard to build turned into doubt. "The hardest thing to do is when you're not playing well or you're down about your game, is to still have confidence that you're an elite player. Everybody goes through moments, especially at this stage, you always are questioning if you are good enough. And I think I've gotten to a point where I kind of lean into it a little more and challenge myself," he said after Game wanted J-Dub to know he appreciated him Williams didn't have his best shooting night in Game 7 — he shot just 7-for-20 from the field, including 2-for-7 from 3-point distance. But the Thunder as a team shot just 40.2 percent from the field on Sunday night, with Gilgeous-Alexander going 8-for-27, including 2-for-12 from a 3-point distance. Still, they stuck together as a group and gutted out the victory. Williams finished the game with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes of action. Williams finished his first Finals series with averages of 23.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He also became only the sixth player younger than 25 to make an All-NBA team and win the NBA title in the same season. Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams finished the Finals with 377 total points, the second-most in Finals history by a duo. And while most of the spotlight was on the former, he made sure not only to praise his teammate but also to let him hold and celebrate with the Finals MVP trophy. That makes Shai a real story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
