Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to NBA stardom has been a slow burn—methodical, precise, and ultimately undeniable. From his days at Kentucky, where he flashed his unique combination of smooth ball-handling, elite shot creation, and defensive instincts, to the early years in Oklahoma City where he quietly developed under the radar, it was always a matter of when—not if—he would arrive. And in 2025, he has arrived in full. On the heels of a sensational regular season that saw him lead the Oklahoma City Thunder back to national relevance, Gilgeous-Alexander has officially been named to the All-NBA First Team, cementing his status among the league’s elite.
For Shai, the recognition is more than just a personal accolade—it’s a symbolic breakthrough for both player and franchise. The Thunder, long removed from the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook glory years, are suddenly back in the conversation as legitimate Western Conference contenders. And the engine behind it all is the smooth Canadian guard who averaged over 30 points per game while providing elite perimeter defense, playmaking, and poise beyond his years. At 6-foot-6 with a nearly 7-foot wingspan, Gilgeous-Alexander has become a matchup nightmare. He glides into the lane, absorbs contact, and finishes with a craftiness that echoes the great guards of past eras while adding a modern twist—pull-up threes, step-backs, and surgical mid-range jumpers.
But what truly sets Shai apart is his control of pace. While many guards rely on speed and explosiveness to break down defenses, Shai often looks like he’s playing in slow motion—decelerating, hesitating, changing directions with subtle head fakes and quick footwork. He draws defenders out of position, lures help, and then exploits mismatches with clinical precision. His basketball IQ is through the roof, and his maturity as a leader has helped galvanize one of the youngest rosters in the NBA.
In many ways, this First Team selection is a validation of Shai’s path. Drafted 11th overall in 2018, traded from the Clippers to OKC as part of the Paul George blockbuster, and handed the keys to a rebuilding team, he didn’t complain. He just worked. And now, that work has culminated in an All-NBA First Team nod, putting him alongside some of the biggest names in the sport—Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum. It’s no small feat. Each player on the First Team has either won MVP or been in the conversation for years. That Gilgeous-Alexander is now in that company speaks volumes about his growth and his impact.
And yet, while Shai grabs headlines, another name quietly and consistently continues to make his presence felt—Karl-Anthony Towns. Though his career has been a rollercoaster of expectations, criticism, injuries, and shifting roles, Towns remains one of the most skilled big men the game has ever seen. In 2025, his contributions earned him a spot on the All-NBA Third Team—a nod to his perseverance and versatility, and a recognition that even amid change, greatness persists.
Towns’s journey has not been linear. A former No. 1 overall pick, KAT was once viewed as the future of the league—a 7-footer with three-point range, elite footwork, and the ability to pass and score at all three levels. But in recent years, as Minnesota’s roster fluctuated and new stars emerged—most notably Anthony Edwards—Towns had to adjust. He became more of a complementary piece, taking fewer shots, defending multiple positions, and embracing a new role within a team hungry to make playoff noise.
Rather than sulk or regress, KAT adapted. He refined his passing. He improved his defense. He became a better screener, a more engaged rebounder, and a reliable source of offense when the Wolves needed it most. This season, he reminded everyone why he’s still one of the most talented bigs in the game—averaging over 21 points and 9 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 40% from three. In a league dominated by perimeter stars, his ability to stretch the floor, punish switches, and space the court remained invaluable.
His All-NBA Third Team nod is also significant because it signals the NBA’s evolving appreciation for players who thrive in roles outside of traditional stardom. Towns may not lead his team in scoring or take the final shot every night, but his presence is essential. He anchors possessions, makes smart plays, and draws defenders away from the rim to open driving lanes for teammates. It’s a nuanced greatness—not always captured in highlight reels but deeply felt by those who understand the game.
While Shai’s rise feels like the beginning of a new chapter in NBA lore, KAT’s sustained excellence reads more like a reminder—of how talent, when paired with humility and work ethic, can stand the test of time. Both players represent different sides of the NBA spectrum: one ascending into superstardom with the flair and flash of a modern-day maestro; the other, a veteran adjusting and thriving, still producing at an elite level in a league that too often moves on from those who no longer fit the mold of a solo act.
Together, their selections reflect the depth and diversity of today’s NBA talent pool. The First Team, highlighted by Shai, showcases the league’s new generation—the guys who grew up on YouTube highlights and now make their own. It’s a group of stars who play with flair but also bring substance: Dončić, with his triple-double wizardry; Jokić, a two-time MVP with the passing vision of a point guard; Tatum, a two-way force and leader of a perennial contender; and Giannis, the Greek Freak whose motor and dominance still leave opponents in awe.
Meanwhile, the Third Team—including Towns—features players who continue to evolve, proving there’s no expiration date on excellence. These are the glue guys who still shine, the veterans who adapt and refine their games, and the underappreciated stars who, even when no longer the focal point, still shape outcomes.
This year’s All-NBA selections also come at a time when the league is shifting—both stylistically and structurally. With positionless basketball now the norm and eligibility rules impacting awards and incentives, every All-NBA nod carries real weight. For Shai, it could mean a supermax contract extension that reshapes OKC’s future. For Towns, it affirms his place among the game’s best—even if his name is no longer in every headline.
Their respective teams are also reaping the rewards. The Thunder, bolstered by Shai’s brilliance, now have a foundation to build around for years. They boast a deep young core—Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey—and a stockpile of draft picks. Shai’s First Team status doesn’t just celebrate what he’s done; it projects what’s possible. With him at the helm, Oklahoma City believes again.
For the Timberwolves, Towns’s continued excellence stabilizes a roster built around Anthony Edwards. While Edwards has taken the reins as Minnesota’s alpha, KAT’s veteran presence ensures balance. He’s been through it all—the losing seasons, the playoff heartbreaks, the trades—and now, in year 10, he’s finding success in a reimagined role. That’s leadership. That’s value. And that’s what All-NBA voters recognized when they gave him this honor.
There’s something poetic about these two stories running parallel. One is about arrival; the other, about endurance. Shai is soaring to heights we always suspected he’d reach. Towns is reminding us that talent, properly harnessed, never fades. They are products of different circumstances, but both are testaments to the work behind the scenes—the countless hours in the gym, the film sessions, the mental battles that come with being a professional at the highest level.
And in the end, that’s what All-NBA really celebrates. Not just flashy numbers or viral moments, but impact. Influence. The ability to change games, shape teams, and inspire belief—both in yourself and in those around you. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns have done all of that, and then some.
So as the league turns its eyes toward the playoffs and the looming offseason, take a moment to appreciate the journey. Shai, the poised assassin from Hamilton, Ontario, is now First Team All-NBA—and he’s just getting started. KAT, the battle-tested big man from New Jersey, is still holding it down—still productive, still important, still elite. The game evolves, the spotlight shifts, and new stars emerge. But greatness, in all its forms, endures. And in 2025, it wears the names Shai and KAT.
