The city of Hamilton is honoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for his remarkable achievements during the 2024-2025 NBA season. The celebration, dubbed "Shai Day," is set for Thursday, where the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard will be recognized for winning the NBA championship, the finals MVP, the regular season MVP, and the league scoring title—all in the same season. This feat places him alongside basketball legends Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan, making him one of the few players in history to accomplish this.

The festivities will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET at Hamilton Stadium, where Mayor Andrea Horwath will present Gilgeous-Alexander with the Key to the City. This honor has not been awarded since 1998, making it a significant event for the community. The rally is free to attend, and fans can RSVP through the Hamilton Ticats website. The event will be hosted by TSN's Kate Beirness and former Hamilton Tiger-Cats player Simoni Lawrence.

In a statement, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his gratitude, saying, "Hamilton is the city where I grew up, and it shaped the most pivotal years of my life. It laid the foundation not only for who I am as a basketball player, but for the man I've become. I wouldn't be who I am today without this city, and I'm deeply grateful for the continued love and support."

Following the rally, Gilgeous-Alexander will be honored during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats home game against the B.C. Lions at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets for the game are sold separately.

In addition to the celebrations in Hamilton, Gilgeous-Alexander made a special visit to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children on Wednesday. He brought along the NBA championship trophy and spent time with patient families, signing autographs and taking photos. He also visited individual patient rooms to connect with children who could not attend the event. During his visit, he shared insights about his record-breaking season and his pride in being the first Canadian to lead the league in scoring and the second to win the MVP award.