A tortoise statue shares space with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s trophies at home. For the Oklahoma City Thunder star, that gift from general manager Sam Presti represents a lesson that arrived long before the championship.

Speaking to ESPN before Oklahoma City’s opener against San Antonio, Gilgeous-Alexander recalled visiting Presti’s office expecting a substantial reading assignment. Instead, the executive handed him a children’s edition of “The Tortoise and the Hare.”

The choice initially confused him. Presti’s point soon landed: individual development and building a contender required patience.

“My journey resonates a lot with that,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It just kind of made sense.”

That message carried weight during Oklahoma City’s rebuild. Plantar fasciitis interrupted his second Thunder season, and the team finished 22-50. Elsewhere, fellow young guards Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Ja Morant already commanded attention.

Gilgeous-Alexander believed he belonged alongside them. Presti shared that belief without abandoning his approach.

SGA, this bucket was FILTHY 😮‍💨 https://t.co/v7SbSXk3Fa pic.twitter.com/YsovUS7g2S

— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2026

Sam Presti’s patience gave the Thunder room to grow

Their commitment took financial form in 2021, when Gilgeous-Alexander signed a $172 million extension spanning five seasons. He had yet to earn an All-Star selection, and the agreement contained no player option.

Article Continues Below

By 2022-23, he averaged 31.4 points and collected his first All-Star recognition. Oklahoma City subsequently climbed to 57 victories, then 68, as Presti added Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein after the 2024 playoff exit.

The payoff included the 2024-25 championship, plus MVP, scoring, and Finals MVP honors for Gilgeous-Alexander.

Presti later gave him the tortoise statue, connecting their earliest conversations to those achievements. For Gilgeous-Alexander, the relationship rests on shared responsibility.

“It feels like a partnership,” he said. “I don't work for him. He doesn't work for me. We're in this thing together.”