From the 11th Show to MVP: Alexander s path to growth and transformation, inspiring countless young people to move forward

On the NBA stage, many young players with dreams are pouring in every year, but few can grow from a fledgling rookie to a top superstar in the league. Shay Gilgers - Alexander, the Canadian defender who was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, made such an amazing leap and was awarded the regular season MVP this season. So, what did he do right to achieve such rapid and amazing growth?

1. Solid foundation and talent precipitation

Alexander had already shown outstanding strength in the field of basketball before entering the NBA. Playing for Duke in college, he averaged 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a member of the team. In this institution that brings together many basketball geniuses, Alexander has gradually formed his own unique style through competition with high-level teammates and opponents. He is 1.98 meters tall and has an amazing 2.12 wingspan, which gives him a unique physical advantage in point guard position and lays a solid foundation for his future performance in the NBA.

has just entered the league, although Alexander, who is in the Clippers, is just a rookie who contributes 10.9 points per game, he has shown his potential in his limited playing time. His offensive methods are varied, whether it is the strange pace during breakthrough, the changing dribbling rhythm, or the complicated fake moves, which are elusive for defenders. Even though he is a little thin, he is not afraid of confrontation during the breakthrough process. With his excellent physical control ability, he can often cleverly "squeeze" to the basket to complete the end in physical contact with the defender. His top left-handed dribble and finishing ability also makes the opponent lose sight of one and the other when defending. These traits that emerged in the rookie season have become an important cornerstone for his future growth.

2. Adapting to the environment and role changes

In 2019, Alexander was traded to the Thunder, and this transfer became an important turning point in his career. After coming to the Thunder, the team is in the reconstruction phase, which provides Alexander with more playing time and ball rights. Instead of being overwhelmed by the sudden increase in responsibilities, he quickly adapted to the new environment and seized the opportunity to show his strength. In the second grade, his average score soared to 19 points per game, and in the third year he increased to 23.7 points, with a steady shooting percentage of more than 50%.

In the Thunder, Alexander University has found its position in different lineups. When playing together with Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder and other ball controls, he can adjust his playing style in time and contribute to the team through active off-ball running and efficient finishing ability while reducing ball control. When he became the core organizer of the team's offense, he was able to fully utilize his excellent passing vision, averaged 6.4 assists per game, driving his teammates and revitalizing the team's offensive system. This ability to flexibly change roles based on team needs and on-court situations greatly promoted his growth.

3. Continuous efforts and self-improvement

Alexander's growth is inseparable from his hard training day after day and his persistent pursuit of self-improvement. During the offseason, when many players choose to relax and rest, he devotes himself to training. He constantly polished his shooting skills, and whether it was the stability of the middle distance or the accuracy outside the three-point line, it was improving year by year. This season, his shooting percentage is as high as 51.9%, his three-point shooting percentage has reached 37.5%, his free throw shooting percentage is as high as 89.8%, and his real shooting percentage has reached 65.4%. He became the first player after Michael Jordan to achieve "32 points + 6 assists" in a single season with "50% + shooting percentage".

In addition to offensive end, Alexander also put a lot of effort on the defensive end. With his outstanding wingspan and positive defensive attitude, he averaged 2 steals per game, becoming a solid defense line on the team's outside. When defending the opponent's core players, he can always reduce the opponent's offensive efficiency by constantly interfering and oppressing. He knew very well that to become a true top star, one must have dominance on both offense and defense.

4. Good mentality and team integration

On the basketball court, mentality can often determine a player's performance. Alexander has an extremely outstanding mindset and always puts the team's victory first. In one game, he scored 52 points, breaking his scoring record, but the team was reversed by the Warriors 109-116. After the game, he bluntly stated that this number is meaningless to him, "I play to win, not to win points." This extreme desire and concentration for victory allowed him to remain calm and rational in the game and not be swayed by his personal data.

In the Thunder, Alexander established a deep friendship with his teammates. He has said that his teammates made playing the NBA no longer like a job, but like back to the time he played AAU basketball at the age of 15, and had pure fun. This good team atmosphere and high integration into the team allow him to fully trust his teammates on the court and cooperate tacitly with his teammates. When attacking, he can accurately find his teammates in open positions and create scoring opportunities for them; when defense, his teammates will also actively fill in the positions and give him support. This team cohesion has become his source of motivation for his continuous progress.

From the 11th pick in the draft to now becoming the well-deserved core of the regular season MVP and the team, Alexander wrote a passionate growth chapter with his own efforts, talent and love for basketball. His success was not accidental, but the result of the combined action of multiple factors. In the days to come, I believe that Alexander will continue to shine on the NBA field and lead the Thunder to attack higher honors, and his growth story will inspire countless young people with basketball dreams to move forward bravely.