NBA champion and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was presented the key to the city by Mayor Andrea Haworth at the Hamilton Sports Arena in his hometown. He will also have a street named after him in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the 2024-25 season.

Last season, the 27-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a seven-game battle with the Indiana Pacers to win the team's first championship, and won the regular season MVP, Finals MVP and scoring title, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to accomplish this feat in a single season, joining Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and O'Neal.

At the Hamilton Coliseum, Gilgeous-Alexander raised the trophy and said: "No matter where I go in the world, I am proud to say that I am from Hamilton. The resilience, determination and pride here have shaped me. To receive the key to the city and name the street today is an extremely joyful moment."

“Hard work doesn’t always pay off as you wish, but today I’ve achieved my dream. It’s a blessing, and I will cherish every moment of it.”

That night, he also appeared as a special guest at the CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats game, interacting with thousands of fans wearing his No. 2 jersey and saying that returning to his hometown was a fulfilling moment.

After the season, Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, becoming the highest-paid player in the NBA based on annual salary. He also renewed his contract with Converse as the creative director of Converse Basketball, with a reported annual salary of $15 million.