Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted in TIME 100 most influential list
· Yahoo Sports
TIME Magazine has released The 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026, and a former Kentucky Wildcat made the list. The list is divided into four categories: Icons, Titans, Innovators and Leaders. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was among the group of "Titans".
Gilgeous-Alexander was alongside household names like Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti fresh off his first National Championship, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes who scored the game winning goal to land USA the gold medal at the Milano Cortina Olympics, back-to-back Masters Champion Rory McIlroy and more.
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The former Kentucky star cemented his legacy in 2026, becoming one of just 14 players to be named back-to-back NBA MVPs. After averaging 32.7 points per game and 6.4 assists to land his first MVP trophy, Gilgeous-Alexander followed that up with his most efficient season yet by averaging 31.4 points per game and 6.6 assists while also increasing his field goal and three point percentage. His 55% field goal percentage this season was a career-high, and he led the Oklahoma City Thunder back to the Western Conference Finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander has now averaged over 30 points per game in four straight seasons, which has led to him being named to four consecutive first-team All-NBA honors. He is one of the NBA's brightest stars, and we congratulate him on making TIME's list.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Former Kentucky basketball star among most influential sports figures