Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been selected as a 2023 NBA Western Conference All-Star game reserve.
Gilgeous-Alexander, a six-foot-six guard, is averaging 30.8 points, 5.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds per game. The Hamilton, Ontario native becomes just the fourth and youngest Canadian basketball player to be selected to the NBA All-Star game.
The 24-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander, joins eight-time selection Steve Nash (2002, 2003, 2005–2008, 2010, 2012), Jamaal Magloire (2004) and Andrew Wiggins (2022) as Canada’s only NBA all-stars.
Nash made his first all-star appearance as a 28-year-old, Magloire was 26 when he led the Eastern All-Stars with 19 points and 8 rebounds in his lone appearance. Wiggins earned his first starting nod last season as a 27-year-old.
The former 2018 eleventh pick of the Charlotte Hornets is also the second-highest drafted Canadian to be selected as an NBA All-Star. Wiggins, the number one pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ holds top honours.
All but one of Canada’s NBA All-Star selections have come via Western Conference teams. Magloire is the only one to be selected while playing in the Eastern Conference.
The 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Utah is expected to feature a heavy Canadian flavour. Indiana Pacers rookies’ Bennedict Mathruin and Andrew Nembhard will join Leonard Miller in the 2023 Rising Stars Game. Portland Trail Blazers high-flying rookie, Shaedon Sharpe, will take flight in the 2023 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest.
Gilgeous-Alexander last participated in NBA All-Star Weekend as a member of Team World in the 2019 Rising Stars Game.
2022-23 Eastern Conference NBA all-star reserves
Tyrese Haliburton – Indiana Pacers
Jrue Holiday – Milwaukee Bucks
Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics
DeMar DeRozan – Chicago Bulls
Julius Randle – New York Knicks
Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers
2022-23 Western Conference NBA all-star reserves
Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers
Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers
Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies
Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings
Lauri Markkanen- Utah Jazz
