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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is beginning to get some respect.
Sports activities Illustrated ranked the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard because the No. 30 participant within the NBA of their 2021-22 High 100 gamers checklist. He got here in forward of Ben Simmons, De’Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram and Russell Westbrook, who had been ranked Nos. 31-34 in that order.
Many rankings haven’t placed Gilgeous-Alexander this high, and that’s largely as a result of a comparatively small pattern dimension. He performed simply 35 video games final season, his first because the go-to choice on offense.
However Sports activities Illustrated has seen sufficient.
“Gilgeous-Alexander performed in solely 35 video games in 2021 however shined brilliant sufficient to be No. 30 on this checklist. His offensive profile would make an analytics nerd blush: Over 50% from the sector, over 40% from three, and over six free-throw makes an attempt a recreation.”
In truth, the Thunder guard was so good final yr, SI analyst Rohan Nadkarni acknowledged that the group could have to hurry up their rebuild.
“Solely getting into his fourth season, if SGA builds on his 2021 numbers the Thunder ought to critically take into account rushing up their rebuild.”
Gilgeous-Alexander is the one Thunder participant to make it onto Sports activities Illustrated’s prime 100 checklist.
That’s unsurprising, however the remainder of the forged will attempt to be adequate weapons for him as they enter the second yr with SGA in cost.
