In June 2025, shortly after the NBA Finals, journalists interviewed Vaughn Alexander, the father of Oklahoma City Thunder star and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While Alexander was clearly proud of his son’s basketball achievements, he noted that it was Shai’s positive behaviour off the court that he takes most pride in.
“Yeah, Shai plays basketball and he's amazing," he said, "but that doesn't mean he's better than anybody as a human being. What makes him a better human being is how he acts off the court, and that's what I'm more proud of.” This focus on character more than sporting prowess highlights the opportunity that athletes such as Gilgeous-Alexander have to be positive role models to the young people—and perhaps especially the young men—who follow them.
