While Nikola Jokic will be absent from the ranks of Serbia and the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo in those of Greece is still uncertain, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears, on paper, as the best player in the World Cup behind Luka Doncic.
Author of a grandiose 2022/23 season on an individual level, with averages of 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game in the ranks of a Thunder who surprised more than one, the Canadian leader , who became an All-Star for the first time and selected in the All-NBA First Team, is in the best shape of his career at the moment, and therefore tackles with ambition a new chapter, that of the national team.
Leader of a united and ambitious nation
” Playing for the country, for the nation and all the fans, wearing ‘Canada’ on the shirt, it’s an honor », thus declared the Thunder star. ” We would be doing something else with our summer if it wasn’t for the selection. »
Symbol of this ambitious Canadian program, with its list of NBAers engaged for the next international events, including the Paris Olympic Games, “SGA” sets no limits for his country.
” There is a culture that we are starting to build, and I think that culture explains the commitment of [plusieurs gros noms]. And that’s the recipe for the best teams. Especially in Europe, the best teams are those that have been playing together for a long time “, he adds, in the continuity of his coach who mentioned earlier in the summer the example, to follow, of Spain. ” We are capable of accomplishing great things, it is up to us to decide how much. There is no doubt that our group is talented enough [pour gagner la Coupe du monde]. Now it’s up to us to act as a team. If so, we will be fine. »
A reassuring presence
And if the native of Hamilton, as a good leader, emphasizes the collective, no one is mistaken in the ranks of the formation at the maple leaf: the level of ambition is no longer the same, with “SGA”.
” Clearly, he’s one of the best players our country has to offer.. And he has this mentality of wanting to win at all levels, especially with [la sélection]. And you need that mentality, coming from a leader. It rubs off on the rest of the selection “, indeed notes the veteran Dwight Powell, when Jordi Fernandez speaks of a player “who connect the whole group. He pulls the group up, and I think that made my life easier. »
Roll on August 25, to discover the FIBA version of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against… France.
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | LAKE | 82 | 27 | 47.6 | 36.7 | 80.0 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 10.8 |
| 2019-20 | OKAY | 70 | 35 | 47.1 | 34.7 | 80.7 | 0.7 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 19.0 |
| 2020-21 | OKAY | 35 | 34 | 50.8 | 41.8 | 80.8 | 0.5 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 23.7 |
| 2021-22 | OKAY | 56 | 35 | 45.3 | 30.0 | 81.0 | 0.7 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 24.5 |
| 2022-23 | OKAY | 68 | 36 | 51.0 | 34.5 | 90.5 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 31.4 |
| Total | 311 | 33 | 48.4 | 34.7 | 84.5 | 0.7 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 21.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
