NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was celebrated in his hometown Thursday, receiving the key to the city of Hamilton, Ontario, from Mayor Andrea Horwath during a public rally at Hamilton Stadium.
Horwath also announced that a street will be named in honor of the Oklahoma City Thunder star, who led the team to an NBA championship this season.
“Growing up, as I traveled across the world, people always asked where I was from,” Gilgeous-Alexander told fans after raising the championship trophy.
“I took pride in letting everyone know I was from Hamilton.”
Later that evening, Gilgeous-Alexander returned to the stadium to be honored during the second quarter of the CFL matchup between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and B.C. Lions.