Shai Gilgeous-Alexander jokes about his mom and CP3, marvels at ...
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he didn't know Andrew Nembhard was that good. He joked about why his mother was not coming to see him in the Olympics and jokingly said that his close friend Chris Paul tells him absolutely nothing during the Games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the top scorer on Canada's roster against Spain once again, but Andrew Nembhard played an unexpectedly key role in overcoming the reigning EuroBasket champions.
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19 Andrew Nembhard Points 18 Accuracy 8-10 Rebounds 1 Assists 2Nembhard finished the game with 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting and led Canada in efficiency with 19. Gilgeous-Alexander had previously named him as the most surprising player on the squad. He stuck to his words after the tough win.
"I would say the same thing. I knew he was good, obviously. Didn't know he was this good," Shai smiled. "He's a really talented player, he works hard. Super poised, can pass, can do a lot of things on the basketball court to hurt you. Whatever team has him, it's lucky to have him."
"He was aggressive, and he just took what [the] defense gave him. He never forced it. That's what makes him him," Gilgeous-Alexander explained.
With the win, Canada has advanced to the playoffs of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. As such, Shai was asked whether his mom was coming to see him play on the biggest stage of the Olympics.
"Nah, she's seen me enough playing basketball," Gilgeous-Alexander laughed.
The 26-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder superstar is playing in his very first Olympics. However, he has a close bond with a player who has won two Olympic gold medals, Chris Paul.
The close relationship between 37-year-old Paul and his younger teammate, which began when both played for OKC during the 2019-20 season, has been well documented. Asked whether he keept in touch with Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander answered pretty quickly.
"Absolutely, all the time," he said.
Asked to reveal what advice the veteran point guard tells him, SGA put on a smile on his face.
"Nothing, nothing at all," Shai said.
Despite not receiving any concrete advice from Chris Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander is only focused on winning the Olympics.
"Absolutely," he said about chasing the gold medal. "Don't want to lose. 6-0."
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