Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not echoing other NBA players’ thoughts about how easy it is to make the NFL.
Former NBA player Austin Rivers made headlines last year for his NBA vs NFL take wherein he said that there are at least 30 pro basketball players who can instantly make an NFL roster. Some American football players thought it was disrespectful and he is oversimplifying things.
The 2025 MVP kept it real about his capabilities to keep up with gridiron guys. During a guesting in Jimmy Fallon’s show, he said there’s no chance he will be able to switch careers from the NBA to the NFL. He explained that the same goes for American football players who thought they can make the NBA.
“Just like how they can’t come on the basketball court, I can’t go on the football field,” he said.
“Just stay in our lanes.”
SGA’s take is very personal as he himself experienced the physicality that comes with playing football.
“I fell on the football and got the wind knocked out of me. And I didn’t like that at all, so I quit right away,” the Thunder star shared.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks back to stellar season
SGA has no faith he will be able to take the pounding on the gridiron but when it comes to the basketball court, there’s no problem at all.
He and the Thunder were the 2025 champions which is amazing based on the fact that just two seasons ago, they were not even part of the playoffs.
Gilgeous-Alexander credits their hardwork for the turn around.
“You don’t realize what you’re doing. It’s crazy and an amazing feeling,” he said in the Fallon show.
“But it goes to show that when you work hard, put your head down, and take it one step at a time, you can go anywhere you want to go.”
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