Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing today against Greece? Latest on the Canada point guard's status | 2024 Paris Olympics (July 27)
Canada's campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics will tip off on Saturday when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. step on the court to square off against Greece. Canada's roster, which is stacked with some of the better basketball players in the world, will be led by young superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder's point guard will play in Canada's Olympic campaign opener.
Ten out of the 12 players on Canada's roster for the Olympic Games play in the NBA. The two-time NBA All-Star Shai is undoubtedly the head of the snake.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a swift ascension to the top with back-to-back stupendous seasons in the NBA. In the 2023-24 season, Shai led the youngest team in the NBA to the Western Conference semifinals.
Canada has won just one medal in the men's basketball event at the Olympics. The country secured the silver medal at the Berlin Games in 1936. This time around, Canada shoulders a heavy weight of expectation to not only end their 88-year wait for a podium finish but also to challenge Team USA for the gold medal.
The former Kentucky star is the cornerstone on whom Canada's hopes are firmly pinned. The OKC Thunder superstar has a complete game. He has one best handles in the world and can create offense for himself and his teammates at an elite level.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has also proved to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the last couple of seasons. The 26-year-old is extremely good at picking an opponent player's pocket and forcing turnovers. Last season, he recorded 2.0 steals per game and ended as the second-best in the NBA in that category.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in exhibition games
Canada competed in three exhibition games in the lead-up to the Summer Games in Paris. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded Canada's charge in all the tune-up games.
In Canada's 86-72 loss against Team USA, Shai looked like a shadow of himself and struggled to get going on either side of the floor. He ended the game with 10 points, four rebounds and one assist.
In the next game against France, the OKC Thunder superstar dropped 23 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists, and recorded two steals, His all-around performance led Canada to an impressive 85-73 victory.
In the last exhibition game against Puerto Rico, the 26-year-old scored 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the field, including 1-of-3 from the 3-point range. He also grabbed three rebounds, dished out six assists and recorded two steals as Canada registered a 103-93 win.