

“He got the better of me sometimes, I got the better of him. Stuff we’ve dreamt about for our whole lives, and it’s crazy that it’s come to fruition.” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told The Oklahoman as he faced off against his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the NBA Western Conference Finals. It was the Thunder guard who had the last laugh and eventually won the championship for his team. Now, looking ahead, SGA is celebrating his cousin, even though they won’t face each other in the Western Conference.
The cousins grew up together in Hamilton, Ontario. Shai and Nickeil once shared a room together for two years in high school while teammates at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. The latter is now in the East, part of the Atlanta Hawks, as he signed a four-year, $62 million deal. Shams Charania reported the news on social media, “Free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker has agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, plus a player option and trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. CAA Co-Heads of Basketball Aaron Mintz/Austin Brown and Steven Heumann reached the contract with the Hawks tonight.”
In his follow-up tweet, Charania reported on the compensation that the Wolves will receive. “Atlanta is sending a 2027 second-round pick via Cleveland and cash to Minnesota to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker via sign-and-trade for four years and $62 million, sources said.” He will now pair up with the new look Hawks, Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, Trae Young, and newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis. For this new beginning, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shared his cousin’s move with his 4.5 million followers on Instagram, and the story had a 3-word message.
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“Earned it twizzzz.” The message seems short on social media, just gives a hint about the conversation that the cousins would have had. The cousins were born two months apart and grew up together in Hamilton, Ontario, just outside of Toronto. Later, they lived in the same room together at a coach’s house during their junior and senior years of high school, when they both moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., and were teammates at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on their bond and the WCF
Nickeil highlighted the competitive atmosphere in their household, as he revealed his mom’s message to SGA’s dad before the Conference Finals. “My mom called me and told me that she texted Shai’s dad saying, ‘Oh, it’s war now.'” This mindset produced results as well. Walker’s perimeter shooting was especially impactful in Game 4 of the WCF. He knocked down five of Minnesota’s 18 made threes, accounting for nearly 28% of the team’s 43.9% shooting from deep (18-of-41).

USA Today via Reuters
Nov 2, 2019; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) meet after their game at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Oklahoma City won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Even though the team lost, his performance was visible which helped his stock move to the Atlanta Hawks. Even SGA shared his thoughts facing his cousin. “It’s hard to even explain,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters before the series began. “If you know how close we are. He’s like my second brother. We’ve been through every stage of life together.” He even called the opportunity to play against his cousin “very special.”
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However, he, too, shared a strong message, vowed to hold nothing back. “I’m gonna try to take his head off for sure,” he said. With a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, it was the Thunder and SGA who came out on top and eventually won the championship as well. The family would have enjoyed that moment, just like they will celebrate Nickeil’s new journey.
What’s your perspective on:
Shai's championship win vs. Nickeil's big contract—Which cousin's achievement is more impressive to you?
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"Shai's championship win vs. Nickeil's big contract—Which cousin's achievement is more impressive to you?"