Walking to the stage in Hamilton Stadium, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is like Velcro.

Shrouded in black shades, a custom Ticats-inspired jersey, jeans and sneakers, he walks past crowds of fans, people reach and cling, just before he peels away to the next group to show them love.

When Mayor Andrea Horwath handed Gilgeous-Alexander the second-ever key to the city, it clung, too, like the many accolades and awards he’s won this season.

The NBA superstar from Hamilton had a historic season, winning the scoring title, league MVP, Finals MVP and leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship. Only Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal have achieved all four feats in the same year.

Tears pooling in his eyes, Gilgeous-Alexander approached the mic to raucous applause

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