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[Saba Sports News] Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be newly crowned NBA MVP and making his first-ever NBA Finals appearance, but he hasn’t lost sight of the fans who’ve supported him along the way.
Known for his consistent willingness to sign autographs at both home and away games, Gilgeous-Alexander has long taken time out of his pregame routine to connect with supporters — and ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the NBA decided to tally just how many autographs he was handing out.
With the Thunder making their first Finals appearance since 2012, Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center has been packed with eager fans hoping to witness history. After a franchise-best 68-win season, the city is buzzing with the possibility of its first NBA title — and SGA is right at the center of it.
Despite the spotlight and growing media duties, Gilgeous-Alexander stayed true to his routine by greeting fans along the tunnel before tip-off. His kindness hasn’t gone unnoticed — or uncounted. In a video posted by the NBA, SGA was seen signing for over five minutes before Game 2, leading one staffer to ask how many he thought he’d signed.
“Maybe 50 or 60? 100?” Gilgeous-Alexander guessed.
The real number? A staggering 429 autographs.
“Are you serious?!” he replied in disbelief. “That’s insane! It doesn’t feel like that much.”
But it’s no surprise to those who know his mindset. Earlier this season, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke about why he continues to sign so frequently.
“I used to be a kid and wanted autographs,” he said. “If I had a chance to get Kobe Bryant’s autograph, I’d have done anything for it. So I try to take a few minutes to make some kids’ dreams come true.
“It’s just become part of my routine. And now I feel like people come to the next game expecting it, so I try not to let them down.”
Fans can count on him to keep that tradition alive — especially those arriving early in hopes of catching a moment with the league’s MVP.