Gilgeous-Alexander obtained the important thing to the town of Hamilton from Mayor Andrea Horwath at a public rally Thursday at Hamilton Stadium.
Horwath additionally introduced the 27-year-old basketball star may even have a road named after him after capping an epic 2024-25 season by main the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to an exciting seven-game league championship victory over the Indiana Pacers.
“Rising up as I travelled the world over, to numerous states, cities and nations, folks at all times requested the place I used to be from,” Gilgeous-Alexander instructed a raucous gathering within the north finish zone after hoisting the NBA championship trophy over his head. “I took delight in letting everybody know I used to be from Hamilton.
“Hamilton is completely different from each different metropolis in Ontario, Hamiltonians carry a distinct sense of grit, dedication, delight and power than the remainder of the province and truthfully, I could not draw back from that. I carry that with me on daily basis and in every single place I’m going so that you guys can solely think about how (a lot) overwhelming pleasure there was once I discovered I used to be getting a key to the town I really like and a road named after me.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was slated to return to Hamilton Stadium on Thursday evening to be honoured throughout the CFL sport between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the B.C. Lions.
Trying over hundreds of individuals — together with many children and youngsters donning Gilgeous-Alexander’s No. 2 jersey — hit the NBA star laborious. Gilgeous-Alexander stepped onto the stage carrying a Ticats brief with the No. 2.
“Early on, I had my shades on so that you could not see me tearing up somewhat bit however it was very particular,” he mentioned. “I have been on that discipline in numerous quantity of how rising up and for me to be on it in that vogue was particular.
“A full circle second. All of it sort of feels like that once I come again residence. Not lots of people find out about this metropolis however the assist I really feel irrespective of the place I’m on the planet is particular and I am appreciative of that always.”
Rowan Barrett, the manager vice-president and basic supervisor of Canada’s nationwide males’s group, additionally spoke of Gilgeous-Alexander on the rally. And Ron Foxcroft, a longtime basketball official and chairman/CEO of Fluke Transportation & Warehousing, introduced Gilgeous-Alexander with a gold basketball.
This previous season was one to recollect for six-foot-six, 195-pound Gilgeous-Alexander. Along with main the Thunder to its first NBA title, he was named the Finals MVP and common season MVP whereas profitable the league scoring title.
He turned simply the fourth participant to perform that feat in a single season, becoming a member of Corridor of Famers Shaquille O’ Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan.
“It is a very proud day for Hamilton,” Horwath mentioned. “We’re all very pleased with Shai and we stand in awe of his achievements.
“I believe we’re all on cloud 9 right here within the Hammer right now. What it means for Hamilton is, I believe, one thing everyone knows, which is we have now quite a lot of greatness on this metropolis.”
After the season, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, US$285-million extension with the Thunder. That makes him the highest-paid participant within the NBA on an annual wage foundation.
Gilgeous-Alexander additionally signed multi-year extension with Converse that makes him the artistic director of Converse Basketball. The deal, reportedly value $15 million yearly, got here after O’Neal pursued the Canadian to signal with Reebok.
O’Neal is presently the president of Reebok Basketball, a job he assumed 2023.
Gilgeous-Alexander can also be the quilt athlete of NBA 2K26. Heady stuff for a participant who did not make his highschool basketball group within the ninth grade.
“Everybody says your laborious work pays off and generally it would not repay in the way in which you need it to,” he mentioned. “You do not at all times get what you need and what you dream for.
“And for that child that did not even make that group to get to this second and get what he sort of dreamt for and labored for, it is particular and never taken without any consideration. It is a blessing and I simply strive to take in all the moments.”
