Allen Iverson praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's work ethic

Back home in Canada, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has given back to future generations with a couple of months left before the Oklahoma City Thunder start their 2025-26 season as reigning NBA champions.

Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the greatest individual seasons ever seen. He brought him about every award imaginable. He won the MVP award, the Western Conference Finals MVP and the NBA Finals MVP. He also captured the scoring title. His historic dominance led to a championship ring.

Gilgeous-Alexander was joined by special guest Allen Iverson at his recent youth basketball camp. The former has been pretty vocal about his idolization of the latter. You can kinda see why, too. Both are lanky guards who rely on superb isolation scoring to be one of the NBA's best players.

At the No Flukes Foundation event, Iverson talked to the group of kids about Gilgeous-Alexander. And of course, had a tongue-in-cheek comment about the importance of practicing. The former MVP winner is most known for his all-time rant about practice.

"You have to practice to become whatever you're trying to become in life," Iverson said. "You think Shai didn't practice? Become the MVP, the best player in the world? You have to practice."

Gilgeous-Alexander's work ethic has elevated him into one of the NBA's best players. Three straight 30-plus point campaigns came out of nowhere as he wasn't even the headliner in the infamous 2019 Paul George trade. To see him develop from a decent lottery prospect to an MVP winner led the Thunder to their first championship.

Allen Iverson calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the best player in the world 🔥

"You have to practice to become whatever you tryna become in life. You think Shai didn't practice? Become the MVP, the best player in the world? You have to practice."

(via @noflukesfoundation/IG) pic.twitter.com/g76zgN0Vim

— Cooper Jones (@CooperJNBA) August 1, 2025

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Allen Iverson praises Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's work ethic