TORONTO (December 11, 2023) – Senior Men’s National Team guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the winner of the 2023 Northern Star Award on Monday after a truly historic year.

Gilgeous-Alexander becomes just the second basketball player to be honoured in the 87-year history of the award, joining Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Steve Nash, who was recognized in 2005.

At the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup 2023 this past summer, Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team to a historic bronze medal – the first medal at a World Cup in team history – after defeating the United States in overtime 127-118.

Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2023 All-Star 5 after averaging 24.5 points per game, the fourth-highest mark in the tournament.  He also had the highest efficiency (30.4 per game) and ranked 10th in assists (6.4 assists per game).

In 20 games this season, the 25-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder guard is averaging 30.5 points per game, sixth best in the NBA, as the Thunder currently sit second in the Western Conference.

Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.65 steals in 35.5 minutes per game, while shooting 51.0% from the field, and was selected to the All-NBA First Team, becoming the first Canadian since Nash (2006-07) to earn the honours.

The Hamilton, ON native, was also named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career, joining Nash, Jamaal Magloire and Andrew Wiggins as the only Canadians to be selected. 

Founded in 1936 and previously known as the Lou Marsh Trophy, the award annually recognizes Canada's top athlete, male or female.  The award is voted on by a committee of Canadian sports journalists.