NBA cousins — including MVP SGA — help inspire Calgary Surge's Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow
Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow prepared for the Calgary Surge's home-opener Sunday afternoon in usual fashion …
Article content
Article content
But with one important twist.
Article content
The young basketball talent paired his pre-game gym work and stretching with must-see Saturday evening TV — his two cousins battling against each other in Game 3 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals.
Article content
'I just watch them play,' said Gilgeous-Glasgow, of superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and veteran guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Article content
Article content
'Can't really cheer for no one,' continued the Surge newcomer. 'But anytime they have the ball or they score or make a good play — get a stop — I'm cheering for them.'
Article content
Article content
Gilgeous-Glasgow's not only watched them grow into the NBA stars that they are, he has learned firsthand from playing alongside them what it takes to make it to the big leagues.
Article content
In fact, the 23-year-old credits his first cousins for helping him find his own path to the pros — to the Surge and the Canadian Elite Basketball League after being selected by the Calgary club in the 2025 CEBL Draft.
Article content
Gilgeous-Glasgow and the Surge (2-1) squared off in a Sunday matinee against the Winnipeg Sea Bears (1-1) in the 2025 home debut at WinSport Events Centre. The game was a rematch of Friday's 98-86 victory by the Surge in Winnipeg.
Article content
Article content
'It's just an amazing opportunity for the family,' said Gilgeous-Glasgow of the NBA battle at hand — now 2-1 for OKC in the best-of-seven after Saturday's Game 3 143-101 victory by the host T-wolves.
Article content
Article content
'It's just an amazing opportunity here in the Western Conference finals. Everything that they've worked for their whole life is coming to fruition, and I love that for them. As a fan, I love what they're doing for Canada basketball. They're both putting Canada basketball on the map.
Article content
'And it's just great for my family knowing that, right now, we could say the best player to come out of Canada is my cousin.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pacers fans gasp at Haliburton's Game 7 injury in NBA Finals before responding to Indiana's effort
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers fans arrived at Gainbridge Fieldhouse ready to celebrate their first NBA title. Seven minutes into the game came the hush. As star point guard Tyrese Haliburton fell to the floor in Oklahoma City on Sunday night with what his father, John, later called an Achilles tendon injury, fans gasped as the replay was shown and they saw the anguished look on John Haliburton's face. The moment may go down as another cruel chapter in the franchise's long, painful history. 'Absolutely not what we wanted to see but you know what he's going to want. He's going to want this team to continue to fight,' Chris Denari, the Pacers' television play-by-play announcer, said to tempered cheers. 'He is the leader of this team. We know what he's meant since he arrived from Sacramento and he's going to need all of our thoughts and prayers, but he is going to want this team to fight and win an NBA title.' The Pacers didn't stay down long. As the Pacers fought through the loss of Haliburton, the near-sellout crowd had raucous reactions to each Pacers 3-pointer, Thunder foul or turnover. It is Indiana, after all. But these fans are also plenty familiar with what happened Sunday. Since the ABA powerhouse joined the NBA in 1976-77, it has endured seemingly every imaginable and unimaginable setback: the 1977 telethon that saved the team, the Malice in the Palace that cost Reggie Miller his last title shot, the near-misses against LeBron James more than a decade ago and last year's Eastern Conference finals sweep as the injured Haliburton watched the last two games from the bench. There's also the injury legacy. Danny Granger, Paul George and Victor Oladipo all appeared to be ascending when their careers were derailed by injuries, and now the fear is Haliburton could join that list. How painful has it been to be a Pacers fan? Just ask 27-year-old Anthony Brehob, who came dressed in a No. 55 Roy Hibbert jersey and had big expectations before tip-off. 'Heartbreaking,' Brehob said, describing the back-to-back conference finals losses to James and the Heat in 2013 and 2014. 'I'm expecting a close game, and I'm really hoping Haliburton pulls it off at the end. If they lose, it's going to be a long night.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Pacers' effort brought the crowd back into it. Indiana fought through Haliburton's injury, rekindling thoughts of another comeback story from the state that produced 'Hoosiers.' Pregame lines snaked around the arena for more than an hour and with the roaring crowd and familiar soundtracks, it was hard to tell if the first Game 7 in an NBA Finals since 2016 was being played in Indy — or nearly 800 miles away in Oklahoma City. 'This is like triple what it was, and they won it that year,' 53-year-old Rick McNeely said after making the journey from Dayton, Ohio, to Indy, comparing this trip to the one he made to Chicago when Michael Jordan won his last title. 'I think it's because this is Indiana.' ___ AP NBA:
Calgary Herald
2 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Calgary's CEBL ballers Surge into top spot with home win over Bandits
Never mind Surge2Red Deer or Surge2Stampede. Article content The Calgary Surge might well be remembering Surge2TheTopOfTheCEBL as their most pivotal showcase of the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League campaign. Article content Article content That's because that game Sunday afternoon at WinSport Event Centre — a convincing 100-83 win over the visiting Vancouver Bandits — could well have a long-lasting effect on their season. Article content Article content In a battle between the Western Conference's top two teams, the Surge victory vaults the team atop the CEBL standings at 8-3, winning both meetings with their rivals from the West Coast so far this season. Article content Article content The second loss to the Calgary crew marks the first time the Bandits have lost consecutive games this year and snaps a four-game winning streak on the road. Article content Both squads were coming off losses to Western Conference rivals heading into Sunday's clash at WinSport, but a massive 33-13 second quarter propelled the Surge to a comfortable win. Article content After allowing 31 points in the first quarter, Calgary head coach Kaleb Canales said the team got back to its bread and butter. 'In the team huddle, we just kept talking about (how) our brand of basketball is defence to offence,' Canales told 'We had to get more activity on the ball and our weak side tighter. And I thought the guys did a great job of executing the gameplan.' Article content Article content Six Surge players scored in double figures, with Greg Brown III's 24 points leading the way. The NBA-experienced forward scored the Target Score Winner at the line and added eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Article content Brown felt the Surge were already the best team in the league before Sunday's win. Article content 'We already beat Vancouver the first time by 15,' Brown said. 'Now we beat them by 20. We showed we're the best team in the league.' Article content Sean Miller-Moore tallied 20 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Surge while Olumide Adelodun netted 17 off the bench. Jameer Nelson Jr., Khyri Thomas, and Javonté Brown rounded out the home-side attack with 11 points apiece. Article content As a team, the Calgary squad dished 29 assists while winning the battles on the fastbreak and in the paint. The Surge were a menace on defence as well, forcing 29 turnovers — including 14 steals — and blocking six shots.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Game 7 memories from stars and celebs: Kobe Bryant stands out
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night had a number of sports celebrities — from outside the basketball world, even — thinking of one player. Kobe Bryant. Bryant played in only one Game 7 of a finals, that coming in 2010, but for plenty in the sports world his 23-point, 15-rebound effort that led the Los Angeles Lakers to an 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics for his fifth and final championship still stands out as the quintessential moment from ultimate games. The NBA asked celebrities and star athletes what Game 7 makes them think of, and some of the responses got right to the point. 'Kobe,' soccer legend David Beckham said. 'What do I think?? I think Lakers 2010 — Pau (Gasol) and Kobe,' tennis star Carlos Alcaraz said. Another tennis great, Novak Djokovic, said he thought of Lakers-Celtics in 2010 and the Cleveland-Golden State finale where LeBron James and Kyrie Irving came up big late for the Cavaliers in 2016. 'I'm thinking about electric atmosphere on the stands, no one is seated for the whole game,' Djokovic said. 'I'm thinking about Kobe and Gasol stellar performance in Game 7 of 2010 Lakers-Celtics and I'm thinking about LeBron's block and Irving's 3 pointer to seal the deal for Cavs vs Warriors Game 7 in 2016 thriller.' Cavs-Warriors 2016 another memory Part of the lore of the Cleveland-Golden State finale in 2016 wasn't just James getting a chase-down block against the Warriors' Andre Iguodala in the final moments. It was also ABC announcer Mike Breen's description of the call. Tennis player Ben Shelton and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua both remembered Breen's line perfectly: 'Blocked by James,' they both responded. Other quotes A selection of other responses collected by the NBA: 'Where legends are born.' — tennis' Frances Tiafoe. 'This is basketball, the game that everybody wants to watch. Can't wait !!!!!!!' — soccer star Kylian Mbappé. ''All eyes.' It's my stage.' — Colorado football coach and former NFL and MLB star Deion Sanders. 'GOAT TIME.' — NFL legend Jerry Rice. 'When I hear the words Game 7, I automatically think of the epic and legendary 3-pointer that Ray Allen made in Game 6 to force Game 7, where my Miami Heat team went on to win the NBA Finals championship.' — rapper Flo Rida. 'It's About to Go Down!!! Who will become legend? MJ, Kobe, Bron … who's next?' — Cedric the Entertainer. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Control what you can control mentality! I just wanted to make sure I did all the little things for my team.' — Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade. 'Everything you ever worked on and worked for is all in this one moment. Take it play by play … leave it all on the court.' — former Heat guard Mario Chalmers. 'Play into the emotion. Don't expect fair. Expect the unimaginable.' — Cleveland's Iman Shumpert, part of the 2016 Cavs win. ___ AP NBA:
