Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) takes a free throw against Puerto Rico during second half FIBA World Cup qualification action in Hamilton on Friday, July 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

HAMILTON — It was the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show before, after, and especially during the fourth quarter, of Canada's victory over Puerto Rico.

Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 26 points, including 10 in the fourth, as Canada routed Puerto Rico 110-84 on Friday in a FIBA Americas World Cup qualifier. Chants of "M-V-P!" rained down on the court — emblazoned with Gilgeous-Alexander's name — all night.

Fans wearing Oklahoma City Thunder and Team Canada jerseys with the two-time NBA MVP's name on the back were dotted throughout TD Coliseum in his hometown of Hamilton.

"It was exactly what I expected," said Gilgeous-Alexander afterwards. "Hamilton's always loved sports, and when a homegrown kid and a homegrown talent is involved, it'll only be amplified, and that's what we got tonight.

"The game wasn't always close, but you could never tell the way they were in it from start to finish. They were really good tonight. Hamilton might need an NBA team one day."

Gilgeous-Alexander added four assists and three rebounds as Canada (5-0) led by as many as 26 points. Andrew Nembhard scored 23 points, all in the first three quarters, adding five rebounds and four assists.

Ismael Romero led Puerto Rico (1-4) with 17 points. Enrique Freeman had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander was grateful for all the support at TD Coliseum, an arena he personally invested in earlier this year. On Monday, the SGA-themed court was announced, with a mural of him unveiled on the venue's main concourse before the game tipped off.

"I don't take those opportunities and moments for granted, to be able to play in front of people that watched me grow up, essentially, and are from the same city I'm from, grew up in the same neighbourhoods I'm from, went through the same experiences I'm from," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "It's a special connection, and it was a super fun out there, for sure."

Head coach Gordie Herbert, who coached Gilgeous-Alexander for the first time on Monday, was immediately impressed with the superstar player.

"I call him Canada's national treasure," said Herbert. "He's a better person than a player, I think that tells you what kind of person he is.

"Leads by example every day. Every day in practice, he's engaged. Unbelievable. A national treasure."

Gilgeous-Alexander is the starting point guard for the Thunder and led them to their first NBA championship in 2025. But when Canada was coming up with its game plan against Puerto Rico, he asked to play more off the ball, making Nembhard the starting point guard.

Herbert said that Gilgeous-Alexander's request helped Canada's offence immensely.

"I think he's actually tougher to guard off the ball, tougher to come trap, tougher situations, and when we put him in two different situations during the game I think it opens up the game for him," said Herbert. "They can come trap him and get the ball out of his hands right away, so to speak.

"He's setting screens, different things, and trying to use them in different ways. I think it helps the whole team."

Gilgeous-Alexander said he wanted to see the ball in Nembhard's hands more.

"Andrew is a heck of a player. He's special with the ball in his hands, and the more space you give a guy like that, the more you see out there on the floor," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "I try to give him that space to be who he is and be comfortable out there and play off of that and find my spots and things like that.

"I've played enough basketball to know, where I can be effective, how I can be effective, whether I'm on it or off it."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2026.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2026