City of Hamilton Director of Tourism and Culture Lisa Abbott talks about how NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be honoured on Shai Rally Day on Aug. 7.

Hamilton is celebrating NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on August 7 with what its calling “Shai Rally Day.”

The Hamilton native and Oklahoma City Thunder star won an NBA championship in June on the heels of a season that also earned him a scoring title and an MVP award.

In an interview with CP24, Lisa Abbott Hamilton’s Director of Tourism and Culture said that “as soon as the accolades started rolling in the city started getting calls, ‘How are you going to celebrate Shai?’” She’s excited to bring the community together in this celebration, “Everybody here loves him so it’s a fantastic opportunity to get together and show him how much Hamilton pride there is out here in his incredible accomplishments.”

As a recognition of his accomplishments, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath will be the awarding Gilgeous-Alexander the key to the City of Hamilton. In a press release she said the honour was to show “how proud we are of his incredible accomplishments, and the way he continues to carry Hamilton with him on the global stage.” The ceremony and rally will take place at 3:30 p.m. at Hamilton Stadium.

City Manager Marnie Cluckie said in a statement that “Shai shows us what’s possible when you follow your passion and work tirelessly for your dreams.”

The only time a Hamilton mayor has awarded the key to the city was in 1998. That key was to WWE wrestler Steve Austin.

According to Abbott, Gilgeous-Alexander is “looking forward to having a moment to really expressing how he feels to his fans for all of their support over his career and growing up in Hamilton.”

“Hamilton is the city where I grew up, and it shaped the most pivotal years of my life. It laid the foundation not only for who I am as a basketball player, but for the man I’ve become.” Gilgeous-Alexander said in the press release,

Besides putting Hamilton on the basketball map, Gilgeous-Alexander has been putting basketball on the mind of Hamilton, “He’s an inspiration. Lots of kids are tuning into basketball because he’s set such a great example for them.” Abbott said.

Following the rally there will be a Hamilton Tiger-Cats game against the BC Lions where Gilgeous-Alexander will be honoured with a special tribute at half time according to Abbott.

Shai Rally Day will be a free event but the city does require that attendees get pre-registration tickets. Those tickets are now available.