Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has firmly established himself among the NBA’s elite, with his back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards serving as the clearest indication of just how dominant he has become.
For Thunder guard Cason Wallace, however, Gilgeous-Alexander’s greatness is about more than his numbers, accolades or ability to take over games.
Wallace has had a front-row seat to Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2023. After being acquired by the Thunder in a draft-night trade, Wallace quickly became an important part of the team’s rotation, developing a reputation as a reliable two-way guard and one of Oklahoma City’s most dependable young players.
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Over his first three seasons, Wallace has frequently operated as the Thunder’s unofficial sixth starter, providing defensive intensity, perimeter shooting and secondary playmaking whenever he steps onto the floor.
With Luguentz Dort departing for the Atlanta Hawks during the offseason, Wallace could now have an even bigger role to play. The 23-year-old guard is expected to have an opportunity to push for a starting spot, which could give him even more time alongside Gilgeous-Alexander.
If that opportunity comes, Wallace knows exactly who he wants to learn from.
Speaking on the Cousins podcast with NBA legends Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, Wallace opened up about what separates Gilgeous-Alexander from other elite players and highlighted the two-time MVP’s remarkable confidence and mentality.
“His confidence and his self-talk are unmatched,” Wallace said.
The young guard explained that Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to respond to missed shots and mistakes is one of the most impressive aspects of his game.
“If you miss a shot or if something doesn’t go your way, how do you respond? His response is like, ‘I gotta keep doing that. I don’t care how many times I have missed it. I’m going to keep shooting it until I make it.’ It’s in the game. It’s crazy, bro,” Wallace added.
Your first ever matchup against your brother coming in an NBA game is a major flex 🔥
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace breaks down what it was like finally sharing the court against his brother Keaton Wallace and the family dynamic of brothers in the NBA. @FanDuel pic.twitter.com/XCGZ9dWMJq
— Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady (@VinceAndTmac) August 11, 2026
That mentality has become a defining characteristic of Gilgeous-Alexander’s game.
The Thunder star has blossomed into one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, averaging more than 30 points per game in consecutive seasons. Few players in league history have been able to sustain that level of scoring production, particularly while remaining efficient and playing within the flow of an offense.
What makes Gilgeous-Alexander even more difficult to defend, according to Wallace, is how efficiently he gets his numbers.
Unlike some high-volume scorers who dominate the ball and require a significant portion of their team’s possessions to produce, Gilgeous-Alexander can reach elite scoring totals without completely taking the offense away from his teammates.
That balance has been particularly beneficial for the Thunder, allowing other young stars and developing scorers to thrive alongside him.
Players such as Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell have continued to develop their offensive games while sharing the floor with Gilgeous-Alexander, a testament to the superstar’s ability to lead without monopolizing the basketball.
Wallace also pointed to Gilgeous-Alexander’s personality away from the court as another reason why he commands so much respect inside the Thunder locker room.
“The fact he doesn’t take advantage of that as much as other people might. Very humble. Off the court, great guy. Nothing bad you can say about him,” Wallace said.
For Wallace, playing alongside a player of Gilgeous-Alexander’s caliber represents an invaluable learning opportunity.
The Thunder have built their championship aspirations around their young core, but Gilgeous-Alexander remains the centerpiece of that group. His ability to score at an elite level while creating opportunities for teammates has made him one of the most difficult players in the league to contain.
Now, as Wallace potentially takes on a larger role in Oklahoma City, he will have an even greater opportunity to absorb lessons from the reigning MVP.
And if Wallace can adopt even a portion of Gilgeous-Alexander’s confidence, resilience and approach to the game, the Thunder could have another important piece ready to take a significant step forward.
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