Although not as famous as his brother, Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander continues to chase his basketball dreams with grit and determination.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known by his initials SGA, has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier talents.
The Canadian basketball prodigy began his professional journey when the Charlotte Hornets selected him as the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft before trading him to the Los Angeles Clippers.
His rookie season showcased his potential, earning him NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors before a trade sent him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in July 2019.
In Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander’s career truly blossomed. After leading the Thunder to a playoff appearance in his first season with the team, SGA overcame injury setbacks to become a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA First Team member.
His scoring prowess reached new heights in the 2024-2025 season when he became the first Canadian to lead the NBA in scoring.
He set multiple franchise records, including the most consecutive games with at least 20 points, surpassing Michael Jordan’s previous NBA record.
SGA’s international career has been equally impressive, helping Canada win a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and earning a spot on the World Cup All-Tournament Team.
This performance, combined with his NBA achievements, earned him the Northern Star Award as Canada’s athlete of the year and the Lionel Conacher Award as Canadian male athlete of the year.
Thomasi Is Making Moves Like His Brother Shai
Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander, born December 28, 2000, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, has forged his own path in basketball while living in the shadow of his superstar brother.
Standing 6’7″ tall and weighing around 160-185 pounds, Thomasi has pursued collegiate basketball with determination and perseverance.
Thomasi’s basketball journey parallels his brother’s in some ways.
Like Shai, he attended high school in the United States to enhance his basketball skills, playing at The Potter’s House Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, after previously attending Tennessee Hamilton Heights Christian in Chattanooga.
During the summer of 2018, he played for UPlay Canada on the EYBL Circuit, developing his skills in competitive environments.
His collegiate career began at the University of Evansville, where he played sparingly during his freshman year in the 2019-2020 season.
He appeared in just three games, with his most productive outing coming against Jacksonville State, where he scored six points in six minutes while shooting perfectly from the field and adding two rebounds.
His sophomore year saw slightly increased playing time, with his career-high at Evansville coming in December 2020 when he scored 11 points against UT-Martin.
After his time at Evansville, Thomasi transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College to continue his basketball development.
This move represented his commitment to finding the right program where he could further develop his skills as a point guard and small forward.
Thomasi comes from an athletic family where excellence is the standard. He is the son of Charmaine Gilgeous and Vaughan Alexander.
Their mother was a standout sprinter at Alabama who competed in the 400 meters for Antigua and Barbuda at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
The brothers also share a cousin in NBA player Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite not achieving the same level of basketball success as his older brother, Thomasi maintains a close relationship with Shai.
The NBA star often refers to Thomasi as his “twin” in social media posts, highlighting their strong brotherly bond.
In December 2024, Shai celebrated Thomasi’s birthday with several Instagram stories, including a throwback photo captioned “Swaggiest duo from time” and a simple “Happy bday twinnn.”
He also shared a photo of Thomasi spending time with Ares Alexander, Shai’s son with his wife Hailey Summers, with the caption “Uncle Masi day.”
This close relationship extends beyond social media posts. Thomasi has described Shai as his biggest supporter and role model, drawing inspiration from his brother’s work ethic and success.
As Thomasi continues to work toward potentially becoming draft-eligible in 2026, the guidance and support from his successful older brother remain invaluable assets in his basketball journey.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his hair cut early in his college season at Kentucky, which some say marked his progression from sixth man to starting point guard.
- In January 2020, he recorded his first NBA triple-double with 20 points, 10 assists, and 20 rebounds, becoming the second player after Russell Westbrook to record a 20-20-10 statline in the last 30 years and the youngest to achieve it.
- Shai purchased a lakefront property in Burlington, Ontario, in 2023 that was previously occupied by a bankrupt cryptocurrency trader. However, due to security concerns, Shai moved out within days and successfully sued to reverse the purchase after winning his lawsuit.
