Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Cousin Revealed: Inside the NBA Star’s Family Ties to Nickeil Alexander-Walker

NBA fans searching “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cousin” are discovering a family rivalry that has become one of the signature storylines of the 2025 postseason. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar and newly crowned MVP is facing his first cousin, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, in a Western Conference Finals that has Canada—and the league—buzzing. Family roots, parallel roads The cousins grew up in Toronto’s east end, raised by siblings Vaughn (Shai’s father) and Nicole (Nickeil’s mother). Their bond was forged on community-centre courts before they teamed up at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Tennessee, where college scouts first saw their complementary styles: Shai’s surgical pacing and Nickeil’s fearless shot making. Their relationship is so close that Gilgeous-Alexander calls NAW “my second brother,” according to a recent feature in the Star Tribune. Historic playoff clash This year marks the first time the cousins have met in a best-of-seven series, and it happens to be on the conference-finals stage. Oklahoma City entered the playoffs as the West’s No. 1 seed behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31.3 points per game, while Minnesota rode the NBA’s top-ranked defense anchored by Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. The Oklahoman notes that Tuesday’s Game 3 will be the 16th career matchup between the relatives, with OKC holding a 10-5 edge. Stat check: cousins compared • 2025 Playoffs—through two WCF games – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.5 PPG, 7.0 APG, 5.5 RPG, 52 FG% – Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 11.0 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 38 FG% While the box score favors Shai, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch praised NAW’s on-ball defense, calling him “the disruptor we need against an MVP.” Impact on Canadian hoops Both players hold Jamaican and Canadian passports and have committed to Canada Basketball for the 2026 FIBA Qualifiers. Their success underscores a surge of Canadian talent that already features Jamal Murray and RJ Barrett. “They’re pushing each other and, by extension, pushing our entire program,” said national-team GM Rowan Barrett. What they’re saying • Shai on guarding his cousin: “When the ball goes up, he’s just another defender in my way.” • Nickeil on the family group chat: “Trash talk every day, but aunt Nicole keeps the peace.” • Thunder coach Mark Daigneault: “Bloodlines aside, NAW knows Shai’s tendencies better than any scout.” Looking ahead Game 3 tips Wednesday night in Minneapolis. If Shai’s Thunder win the series, he’ll punch his first Finals ticket; if Nickeil helps engineer an upset, Minnesota would advance for the first time since 2004. Either way, the Gilgeous-Alexander/Alexander-Walker clan is guaranteed a seat at the NBA’s biggest table—and the basketball world can’t stop Googling how family dinners will feel this summer. Quick facts • Relationship: first cousins (Nickeil’s mother is Shai’s father’s sister). • Combined 2024-25 salary: $55.2 million. • Shared endorsements: Converse (SGA) and Nike (NAW) collaborated on a limited sneaker drop featuring their childhood neighborhood’s skyline. Searches for “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cousin” are climbing with every highlight reel play. Expect traffic—and family bragging rights—to stay hot as the series continues.