Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Highest-Paid Basketball player in the World

It's been a rough year for the basketball player, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 27-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid basketball players for 2026 with an estimated $82 million in combined earnings.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tops annual list of highest-paid basketball players

In 2023 it looked like the basketball player’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Thursday (March 19) that Gilgeous-Alexander is the highest-paid basketball player in the world, pulling in an astonishing $82 million between February 2025 and February 2026, a nearly $50 million lead over his closest competition.

People With Money’s factors

In compiling this yearly list, the magazine considers factors such as upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.

The Canadian basketball player has an estimated net worth of $245 million. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics. He also owns several restaurants (the “Fat Gilgeous-Alexander Burger” chain) in Ottawa, a Football Team (the “Hamilton Angels”), has launched his own brand of Vodka (Pure Wondergilgeous-Alexander - Canada), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Shai) and a fashion line called “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Seduction”.

The ranking is significant for many Shai fans, who have been waiting for his triumphant return to the glory days for what seems like a lifetime.

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