Kentucky coach John Calipari thanks Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for rare gift

In his fifteen seasons as Kentucky's head coach, John Calipari has helped 47 of his players get drafted into the NBA.

It's a stacked list that includes names such as Anthony Davis, Devin Booker and De'Aaron Fox. But perhaps the biggest name is Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who spent one season with Kentucky in 2017-18.

Gilgeous-Alexander is second in NBA.com's MVP ladder this season, and he started for the first time in the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 18. Calipari posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, Friday to congratulate his former player on his rise to stardom.

"I've been proud of all of these guys and what they've done," Calipari said. "But, for how hard (Gilgeous-Alexander) worked, how committed he was, what a great teammate he was. ... He's become like the MVP of the NBA. He has earned every step. And when you earn it, you can't take it away."

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Calipari also thanked Gilgeous-Alexander, who recently sent two pairs of unreleased Converse sneakers to members of the current Kentucky men's basketball team.

Gilgeous-Alexander signed with Converse in 2020, and he's the face of the brand's campaign for its most recent "Converse Weapon" sneaker release.

It's a well-deserved honor for Gilgeous-Alexander, who has become one of the biggest stars in basketball.

"He owns it now, who he is and why he's the way he is," Calipari said. "Even the way he dresses, he owns it. And how about the shoe? You better have signed my pair that you sent to me. Congrats, Shai."

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gives rare gift to UK basketball