Everything Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said at his 2025-26 MVP speech

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Before the Oklahoma City Thunder kick off a much-anticipated Western Conference Finals with the San Antonio Spurs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had some reflecting to do. The NBA announced he was the 2025-26 MVP award winner. And he won it by a comfortable margin, too.

Gilgeous-Alexander joins an exclusive club of NBA pantheons who've won back-to-back MVP awards. The feat rises to the top of his loaded career resume as he's enjoyed an unconventional route to NBA superstardom and all-time greatness.

As tradition, Gilgeous-Alexander held an MVP press conference. He started with a speech and then talked about his past accomplishments. Here are all the important things the 27-year-old said as he inches closer to some of the game's biggest names ever:

Gilgeous-Alexander's speech​

"Thanks everybody for being here. It's crazy. We'll start here with my teammates. Thank you guys so much. From setting screens to rebounding when I miss to passing the ball, even though I don't pass you the ball. Everything you guys do to make me a better player out there. I really appreciate you guys. Basketball is obviously a team sport, all the numbers, all the accolades, everything that I do on the court. If we won 10 games, I wouldn't be in this conversation. So, thank you guys so much. I love you guys. We have a lot more work to do. After tonight, get back to work.

"To the city of Oklahoma, it's been amazing. Welcoming me as a young kid, welcoming my family as my family grows. This place has really become a second home to me. I'm not going to lie to you, I never would've imagined Oklahoma being a second home today. Never been here. It's been amazing. This place will always have a special place in my heart. Fans have been amazing. It's nothing but sweet things while we're on the road. I really love you guys.

"To coaching staff — Mark, Bliss, Mike, DA, Zoe — thank you guys so much for essentially putting the ball in my hands and the keys in my hands and letting me drive this ship, just drive this car. So many NBA players don't get an opportunity. I was given that opportunity. Who knows what I'd be without it, so thank you guys.

"To Sam, Clay, front office, ownership. Thank you guys for believing in me as a kid. We had some tough years. I was shooting step-backs off one leg, shooting 20% from the field. I wasn't always this basketball player, but you guys stuck with it, stuck by me and I really appreciate that.

"And then last but not least, my family, my beautiful wife Haley, my son Aries, Masi, my dad, mom back home, Nickeil. I'll never forget you guys ever. The inner circle is something people forget about. I get all the praise and people forget I'm on the court for two-and-a-half hours every night. The rest of my days, the people who make my life seamless and easy...

"Two feels pretty sweet, but we got a lot more work to do. Thank you guys so much. That's all I got."

On OKC's rich history with MVPs​

"It's special. Not really for me personally, but more so for the city and organization. Someone told me a stat. It's been four MVPs in the last 12 years to go through this building. I don't think that's a coincidence. There's a reason why you have success when you come through this program and this facility and this city. Everything I just mentioned — from the fans, the love they give to the ownership, the front office making things easy, making sure we're getting our work in, the coaches playing the right brand of basketball and holding the right things accountable. The way things are in this organization, this city, it breeds success. It's no coincidence. I'm just lucky to end up with it over here."

On his relationship with Thunder fans​

"From the day I got here, it was different. I always described it as more like a college feel. If you play college basketball, the fans are up cheering all game. Nobody comes late because they have stuff to do. Nobody comes late on purpose in their outfit to show off. It's basketball. That's all it is. It's amazing. I really knew they were real when we sucked for three years and they didn't go anywhere. That's when I realized they really loved us. We're really part of the city. I'm glad they've been able to have a little fun as we've had."

Joining multi-time MVP winners​

"All those guys have shaped the game of basketball. All those guys have changed the game and how it's played and how it's approached. To be in that circle and that conversation is something that I don't take lightly. I'm super grateful for it. It's bigger than just me. Some of the guys before and some of the guys after will push this game forward. Just grateful to be in this position."

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Everything Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said at his 2025-26 MVP speech

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