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Calgary Herald

NBA cousins — including MVP SGA — help inspire Calgary Surge's Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow

Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow prepared for the Calgary Surge's home-opener Sunday afternoon in usual fashion … Article content Article content But with one important twist. Article content The young basketball talent paired his pre-game gym work and stretching with must-see Saturday evening TV — his two cousins battling against each other in Game 3 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals. Article content 'I just watch them play,' said Gilgeous-Glasgow, of superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and veteran guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Article content Article content 'Can't really cheer for no one,' continued the Surge newcomer. 'But anytime they have the ball or they score or make a good play — get a stop — I'm cheering for them.' Article content Article content Gilgeous-Glasgow's not only watched them grow into the NBA stars that they are, he has learned firsthand from playing alongside them what it takes to make it to the big leagues. Article content In fact, the 23-year-old credits his first cousins for helping him find his own path to the pros — to the Surge and the Canadian Elite Basketball League after being selected by the Calgary club in the 2025 CEBL Draft. Article content Gilgeous-Glasgow and the Surge (2-1) squared off in a Sunday matinee against the Winnipeg Sea Bears (1-1) in the 2025 home debut at WinSport Events Centre. The game was a rematch of Friday's 98-86 victory by the Surge in Winnipeg. Article content Article content 'It's just an amazing opportunity for the family,' said Gilgeous-Glasgow of the NBA battle at hand — now 2-1 for OKC in the best-of-seven after Saturday's Game 3 143-101 victory by the host T-wolves. Article content Article content 'It's just an amazing opportunity here in the Western Conference finals. Everything that they've worked for their whole life is coming to fruition, and I love that for them. As a fan, I love what they're doing for Canada basketball. They're both putting Canada basketball on the map. Article content 'And it's just great for my family knowing that, right now, we could say the best player to come out of Canada is my cousin.'