In the fast-paced world of the NBA, the family ties between Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander add a special layer to the competition.
These two Canadian stars are first cousins, but their bond goes far beyond blood and grew up side by side, sharing dreams of basketball glory, and now they battle it out on the biggest stages.
Nickeil and Shai are uniquely connected through family.
Nickeil’s mother, Nicole Alexander, is the sister of Shai’s father, Vaughn Alexander.
This makes them first cousins, but from the start, they treated each other like brothers. Born just 52 days apart in 1998—Shai on July 12 and Nickeil on September 2—they spent their childhoods together in Hamilton, Ontario, not far from Toronto.
The city became their playground, where they honed their skills on local courts and dreamed big.
As kids, they were inseparable. They played on the same high school teams, starting at St.
Thomas More Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, before moving to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for prep school.
There, they even lived together briefly as roommates. They also teamed up on AAU circuits, building chemistry that would last a lifetime.
Shai has often said they’ve “been through every stage of life together,” from backyard games to international competitions for Team Canada.
Their shared experiences created a foundation of trust and friendship that’s rare even among family.
After High School, their Journeys Diverged Slightly but Stayed Rooted in Excellence
Shai headed to the University of Kentucky, where he showcased his scoring and playmaking in one season before entering the NBA.
Nickeil chose Virginia Tech, becoming a standout guard recognized for his defense and versatility over the course of two years.
Shai’s pro career kicked off in 2018 when the Charlotte Hornets selected him 11th overall in the draft.
He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers that same day, marking the beginning of his rise to stardom.
By 2019, he joined the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he became the face of the franchise and even won the NBA MVP award in 2025.
Nickeil entered the league a year later, picked 17th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 NBA Draft, before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
His path has seen him move teams a few times, from New Orleans to Utah, then to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2023.
In July 2025, he joined the Atlanta Hawks, bringing his tough defense to the Eastern Conference. Despite the changes, Nickeil has carved out a role as a reliable two-way player.
What sets their relationship apart is how deeply it runs. Shai calls Nickeil his “second brother,” and Nickeil shows that, describing Shai as a “day one brother.”
They’ve shared everything from childhood adventures to the pressures of professional basketball.
Nickeil once waited 12 hours in the rain to be the first to buy Shai’s signature “Butter” Converse Shai 001 shoes, showing just how much they support each other off the court.
Their families stay connected too, with group chats that mix love and trash talk. Vaughn Alexander, Shai’s dad and Nickeil’s uncle, has said,
“The blood relationship you have, they’re cousins. But they’re brothers. Sister’s son, but really my son.”
This closeness extends to representing Canada together, where they’ve teamed up in international play.
Off the court, they’re family. On it, they’re competitors. Their matchups are intense, blending skill with personal stakes.
In 2023, during a play-in game, Nickeil helped the Timberwolves knock out Shai’s Thunder, even shutting down his cousin at key moments.
Things escalated in the 2025 Western Conference Finals, when Minnesota faced Oklahoma City.
It was a dream come true for both, but the rivalry was real. Nickeil shared how his mom texted the family chat, saying, “It’s war now,” capturing the fun yet fierce spirit.
Shai reflected on the series, saying, “
Just being out there on this stage, going against each other … he got the best of me at times, I got the best of him. Something we’ve dreamt about our whole lives.”
Via NBA
Despite the battles, their bond only grows stronger. They push each other to improve, turning family ties into fuel for success.
As Shai leads the Thunder and Nickeil settles in with the Hawks, their story continues to inspire.
In a league full of stars, their cousin bond stands out as a reminder that basketball is about more than wins, it’s about the people you share it with.
Whether they’re teammates for Canada or rivals in the NBA, Nickeil and Shai prove that family comes first, even in the heat of competition.
