SGA wants his team to keep the energy high throughout training camp

The Oklahoma City Thunder officially dove into the 2024-25 NBA season with the first day of training camp on Tuesday. After months of anticipation, the Blue and Orange begin the early steps of assembling a championship-caliber season.

When players on the winning team of the NBA Finals are asked about the entire season, many mention how the successful campaign started with a strong training camp at the beginning of October. Understanding the importance of creating unity between players and setting a tone for the season, the Thunder — and especially Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — came locked in to usher in a new year.

SGA reflects on Day 1

Coming off an MVP-caliber campaign last season and a commendable run for Team Canada in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gilgeous-Alexander rides major momentum entering his seventh season in the association.

As the captain of one of the youngest and most powerful rosters in the NBA, the 26-year-old carries huge expectations. Knowing this, SGA established a winning mentality on Day 1 of camp, even being the last guy to leave the court after Tuesday’s session.

After getting shots up on the day, the superstar point guard spoke to the media and discussed his team’s direction ahead of a critical 2024 campaign.

“It was a good first day. A little bit of rust, turnovers, and stuff like that. It was good. It was fun. Guys were competing, Shai said, before adding, “making sure we play together, making sure we compete together. Making sure we just keep building our camaraderie on and off the court. That makes us who we are.”

Oklahoma City will continue to push the pace and keep the energy high throughout camp. After that, the NBA preseason will start, finally giving fans a chance to see what this new-look roster looks like on the court. Game 1 of the preseason will be on October 6 against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Related: Will Shai be the NBA’s top scorer this season?