HAMILTON (Canada) - Basketball fans around the world already know how special Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is. The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and 2025 NBA champion has established himself as one of the game's elite talents. But for Canadians, his greatest impact comes every time he puts on his national team jersey. “I call him Canada’s national treasure,” Canada head coach Gordie Herbert said. “Better person than a player… I think that tells you what kind of person he is. Leads by example every day in practice, engaged, unbelievable. National treasure.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was part of Canada’s historic run at the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2023, winning the country’s first-ever tournament medal in the men’s competition, a bronze. Averaging 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, he was named to the World Cup All-Tournament team. Suiting up for the first time during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, Gilgeous-Alexander hadn’t lost a step for his country. Putting up a 26-point performance on 64.3 percent shooting, helping to lead Canada to a dominant 110-84 win to remain unbeaten in front of his hometown crowd in Hamilton.
Canada has already secured a place in the Second Round, but Gilgeous-Alexander's commitment extends beyond qualifying. His focus is helping the national team build on their recent success and contend for another World Cup podium finish in 2027. “Canada’s got an outstanding group of basketball players, I believe we’re 5th in the world right now and we have the chance to move up,” said Herbert. “I think he’s actually tougher to guard off the ball. When we put him in two different situations, I think it opens up the game for him.” "I think it helps the whole team.”
FIBA