“I gotta go into eighth gear”- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws a striking similarity with Kobe Bryant in a cryptic post as he celebrates latest career milestone

The year 2025 unanimously belonged to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander . The Oklahoma City Thunder star not only led the franchise to secure their spot in the 2025 NBA championship but also won the MVP award. As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is all set to enter his eighth NBA season, fans' expectations have elevated to new highs. Recently, the NBA star posted about his career milestone while drawing a striking similarity with the Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant in a cryptic post on Instagram.


Shai Gilgeous-Alexander channels Kobe Bryant's mindset as he gears up for his eighth NBA season
After leading the Oklahoma City Thunder all the way to the 2025 NBA finals against Indiana Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added a milestone moment to his basketball career. The former Kentucky Wildcats guard recently shared a massive milestone moment with his million fans on Instagram.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted how he is all set for his eighth NBA year. The Thunder’s star even drew a striking similarity with Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James . He shared a slew of pictures and captioned it as,

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPe6pGikbVX/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DPe6pGikbVX/

“Staying up here is our only option besides that I guess there’s nowhere we could go they said it’s lonely at the top, i disagree, i think it’s lonelier below. Kobe year, i gotta go into eighth gear for year 8, i’m talking Kobe with the ‘fro.”

The cryptic clue clearly indicated how Shai is channeling his inner Mamba Mentality . The 27-year-old Canadian basketball star became a sensation in the NBA within a very short period of time with his hard work and perseverance.


Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets emotional during MVP speech while expressing gratitude to his wife
After clinching the 2025 MVP award in May, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned emotional while delivering his speech. The Oklahoma City Thunder star was almost teary-eyed and called out to his support system, his beloved wife Hailey Summers. He said,


"Hailey Summers, thank you for everything you are — for me, for our son, Aries. You were the first person to show me what love really meant, what sacrifice really meant. And I can't wait to spend the rest of this — this journey called life with you. So, thank you for everything."



He further added,

"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. And thank you for that."

Reportedly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the seventh player outside the US to secure the NBA’s highest individual honor, leaving behind Milwaukee Bucks ’ aggressive icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic.


Also Read: Nikola Jokic vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: NBA contracts, endorsements & Net Worth compared