The tears came without warning. One moment, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was standing at a podium in Oklahoma City, the NBA’s MVP trophy gleaming beside him. The next, he was choking up as he tried to thank the most important person in his life.
“The one and only Hailey Summers,” he began, and that’s when his voice broke.
What a Night
It had been less than 24 hours since the Oklahoma City Thunder guard led his team past Minnesota in the playoffs, but the day belonged to something bigger than basketball. The 26-year-old had just claimed the NBA’s most prestigious individual award, edging out three-time winner Nikola Jokic in one of the closest MVP races in recent memory. Yet here he was, fighting back tears as he spoke about his wife.
"I wouldn't be the man I am, I wouldn't be the player I am, I wouldn't be the father I am without you."
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2025
SGA gets emotional talking about his wife, Hailey Summers, and her impact on his life 🥹🫶
A beautiful moment for the #KiaMVP and his family. https://t.co/vWio57E6O5 pic.twitter.com/2yZetoe1jp
“You were the first person to show me what love really meant, what sacrifice really meant,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, his voice breaking. “I wouldn’t be the man I am, I wouldn’t be the player I am, I wouldn’t be the father I am without you.” What started as a typical awards ceremony became something much more personal.
He also surprised his teammates with some very pricey timepieces, as a token of appreciation for their support throughout the season.
Gilgeous-Alexander presented Rolex watches for his entire team following his acceptance of the award.
Thunder forward Jaylin Williams posted photos on social media showing multiple players wearing the luxury timepieces, with Gilgeous-Alexander visible in the background.
SGA gifted the Thunder squad Rolex watches after winning MVP ⌚️🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2025
(via jaylinwilliams/IG) pic.twitter.com/AlEr2udVBm
Based on the models visible in Williams’ social media post, the collection included several high-end Rolex watches. Williams appears to be wearing a two-toned Sea-Dweller in Oystersteel and yellow gold with a black ceramic Cerachrom bezel, retailing for $20,300 according to Rolex’s website.
Other timepieces in the team gift included Datejust 36 models with both Jubilee ($14,400) and Oyster ($13,650) bracelets, a Sky-Dweller in Oystersteel and white gold ($16,600), and a Submariner Date featuring a royal-blue dial ($17,600), as Robb Report described.
The MVP win also comes at a perfect time for Gilgeous-Alexander’s business interests.
His partnership with Converse hits a major milestone with the launch of the “SHAI 001: HAIL CLAY” shoe, custom-colored to match his wife’s eyes.
It’s a personal touch that shows how today’s athletes are building more authentic connections with their brands.
Gilgeous-Alexander becomes just the tenth athlete to have a signature Converse shoe, joining legends like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Chuck Taylor. He’s the first since Elton Brand in 2010, giving him a unique position in a basketball market dominated by Nike and Adidas, News 9 reports.
Unlike many endorsement deals, Gilgeous-Alexander was hands-on in the design process, from sketching initial concepts to the final product.
“I think at that moment it hit me that, not only do I have a shoe, but I am able to create a shoe from my expression, my art and how I see a basketball shoe,” he told Andscape in February 2025.
His MVP victory also makes history in several ways.
According to Sports Illustrated, he’s the first Kentucky Wildcats player to win the award and becomes the seventh consecutive international player to claim the honor. More important for Thunder fans, he joins an elite group of players who’ve led their teams to the best record in the NBA during their MVP season.
But the real money comes from his new contract options.
Winning MVP meant Gilgeous-Alexander met the final target to become eligible for a “supermax” contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players in NBA history. He now has two paths: sign a four-year, $293 million extension this summer, or wait until 2026 for a five-year, $380 million deal.
The numbers are massive either way. The immediate deal averages $73.25 million per year, while waiting gets him $76 million annually. Of course, waiting carries risk — injuries or declining performance could cost him the bigger payday. But it shows just how much top NBA players can earn today.
Gilgeous-Alexander earned every dollar with his 2024-25 performance. He led the league with 32.7 points per game while shooting a career-best 37.5 percent from three. More important, he led Oklahoma City to the best record in the NBA and a spot in the Western Conference finals.
As Gilgeous-Alexander weighs these life-changing contract decisions, his emotional speech about his wife reminds us that behind every business milestone is a personal story. His success on the court comes from the support system he’s built at home, and now both he and his family are set to benefit from the financial rewards that follow.