Rivers Predicted Stardom For Gilgeous-alexander, But Says Thunder Star Has Exceeded Expectations

Doc Rivers says he saw star potential in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while coaching him as a rookie before the Los Angeles Clippers traded him to Oklahoma City.

But the veteran coach concedes that Gilgeous-Alexander has drastically outperformed those expectations.

"I don't think anybody in the world saw this in him," said Rivers, who coached the Clippers from 2013-20. "We did think he was going to be really, really good. I thought he was going to be a star. I said it when we traded him. But to see this, I don't think anyone can honestly say they knew he was going to be this special."

Rivers was speaking before his Milwaukee Bucks lost 121-105 to Gilgeous-Alexander's Western Conference-leading Thunder on Sunday night.

The Clippers included Gilgeous-Alexander as part of the package to bring nine-time All-Star Paul George to Los Angeles in the summer of 2019. The acquisition of George helped the Clippers also land Kawhi Leonard in free agency after he had just led the Toronto Raptors to an NBA title.