Kriti Mehrotra
If there’s one thing absolutely nobody can deny, it’s that NBA athlete Shaivonte Gilgeous-Alexander (often simply known by his initials SGA) is at the very height of his career as of writing. Unlike what many believe, though, as explored in Netflix’s ‘Starting 5’ season 2, he has managed to make all his dreams come true without really sacrificing any aspect of his personal life. This much is honestly evident in the fact that he has always maintained a tight-knit connection with his family and is in a happy, healthy marriage with long-time partner Hailey Summers.
Hailey Summers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Are High School Sweethearts
As proud natives of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, Hailey Summers first came across Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) through a close mutual friend in the sports circle during high school. According to reports, he was already a rising basketball star at the time, but she was no less of an athlete, considering she was lettered in not only basketball but also football and soccer. The duo thus ended up getting to know one another on a deeper level, soon resulting in them becoming romantically involved and ultimately even going Instagram official on January 2, 2017.
That’s the same year Hailey signed with the University at Albany to play NCAA Division I soccer, whereas SGA chose to play NCAA Division I basketball at the University of Kentucky. As per records, during her collegiate career, she wore#2 on the back, which is the same number her beau now sports on the NBA court as an Oklahoma City Thunder point/shooting guard. However, while sports were always a common ground for the couple, it wasn’t until they went to see a Toronto Raptors game one day that he told her he would be in the NBA one day. Hailey admittedly thought SGA’s ambitions were boyish dreams at first, but as his dedication, perseverance, as well as skills became evident over time, she became his biggest supporter.
In fact, Hailey was right beside him when he was drafted into the NBA in 2018, has been to countless games across the globe for him, and has been there to witness his every achievement. It thus comes as no surprise that when SGA won the honor of the 2024-25 season’s Most Valuable Player and then the Championship, he credited his “one and only Hailey” as his motivation. “You were the first person to show me what love really meant… what sacrifice really meant,” he once said. “I wouldn’t be the man I am, I wouldn’t be the player I am,… without you.” By this point, Hailey and SGA had not only tied the knot in a private ceremony on February 14, 2024, but also welcomed their son, Ares Alexander, into this world on April 25, 2024.
Hailey and Shai Prefer to Keep Their Relationship Relatively Private
While SGA has never shied away from showing off his family or the love he has for them in public, he and his wife both prefer to keep the personal details of their experiences rather private. That’s partly why they do not post much about one another or their son on social media. In fact, Hailey isn’t very active on there either – she mostly just shares stories or minor updates about her husband’s career. Her two most recent posts do include SGA, but while one is a small glimpse into their private time at home, as seen below, the other is a carousel of the celebrations of his Championship win. As for the athlete himself, he doesn’t seem to particularly mind giving fans more of an insight into his life; his feed is primarily based on his career.
However, we should mention that SGA has openly admitted to often turning to Hailey for advice whenever he believes he desperately needs an honest yet supportive opinion. “She is brutally honest,” he told Andscape in an exclusive interview in late 2024. “She played basketball. She sees things. If my mindset is off, she makes sure I know.” He then added that because she knows him better than anyone else, she can see if he is wearing his heart on his sleeve or if he is not being aggressive enough on the court. Then, he said, she makes sure to tell him in a way that many might consider hard, but he knows is supportive as well as much-needed as a wake-up call.
SGA has even loudly and proudly given shout-outs to his wife via his other endeavors, including his first signature shoe with Converse, SHAI 001, by naming one of the colors Hail Clay. Therefore, it goes without saying that SGA and Hailey seem stronger than ever before as of writing, especially as they appear to be dedicating all their time to their young family and his NBA career. Honestly, the secret to their happy, lasting union is evident from the way they carry themselves – mutual as well as undiminishing affection, efforts, respect, support, trust, and understanding. So, of course, we can’t wait to see what’s in the cards for them and little Ares Alexander next.
Read More: Are Kalybriah and Edmond From Love is Blind Still Together?
