Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just an NBA MVP and one of the league’s most electrifying players—he’s also a devoted husband and father. Behind his smooth handles and clutch performances is a love story that started in high school, survived the pressures of fame, and blossomed into a beautiful family. His wife, Hailey Summers, is more than just a courtside presence; she’s his rock, his toughest critic, and the woman who helped shape the man he is today.
So, let’s break it all down—their relationship timeline, Hailey’s background, their marriage, their adorable son, and everything in between.
1. Who Is Hailey Summers? Her Background, Ethnicity & Career
Early Life & Family
Hailey Summers was born on October 22, 1999, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada—the same city where SGA spent much of his teenage years. Her parents are Ron Summers, a retired firefighter, and Carolyn Oliver, and she grew up with two siblings: her sister Taylor and younger brother Will.
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Unlike Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose parents were elite athletes (his mom ran track at the Olympics, his dad played high school basketball), Hailey’s family wasn’t as deeply entrenched in pro sports—but they were still a competitive bunch. She played soccer, basketball, and even football in high school, leading her soccer team to a city championship at St. Mary’s High School.
College Soccer Career
Hailey took her soccer talents to the University at Albany, where she played as a defender from 2017 to 2021. She wasn’t just a role player—she captained the team, helped them win the 2018 America East Championship, and racked up 56 appearances with 3 assists and 1 goal.
She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, proving she was just as sharp off the field as she was on it. After five years of college soccer, she retired in 2021 with an emotional Instagram post thanking the sport for the friendships and memories.
Ethnicity & Height
Hailey is Canadian by nationality, and while her exact ethnic background isn’t widely publicized, she was born and raised in Hamilton to Canadian parents. As for her height? She’s reportedly around 5’9”, which makes sense for a former collegiate soccer defender—though she’s still a full head shorter than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 6’6” frame.
2. How Shai & Hailey Met: High School Sweethearts to NBA Power Couple
The Early Days (2016-2017)
SGA and Hailey’s love story began before the NBA spotlight. They met in 2016 or 2017 through mutual friends in Hamilton, Ontario. At the time, Shai was a rising basketball star, and Hailey was a multi-sport athlete herself.
They didn’t meet in the U.S.—contrary to some assumptions—but rather in Canada, where they bonded over their shared love of competition and their down-to-earth personalities.
Long-Distance Challenges
When Shai left for the University of Kentucky in 2017 (and later the NBA in 2018), while Hailey was at UAlbany, they made long-distance work. Hailey would visit him during breaks, and Shai made sure to support her soccer games whenever possible.
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The Engagement (2023) & Wedding (2024)
After six years of dating, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proposed in June 2023 with a stunning diamond ring, which Hailey briefly showed off on Instagram before deleting the post (they’ve always been private about their relationship).
Then, on Valentine’s Day 2024, they tied the knot in an intimate wedding. No extravagant celebrity affair—just a simple, heartfelt ceremony confirmed with an Instagram story that read: “Just married. Shai and Hailey. February 14, 2024.”
3. Their Son, Ares Alexander: The “Playoff Baby”
Just two months after their wedding, Hailey gave birth to their first child, Ares Alexander, on April 25, 2024. The timing was poetic—Ares arrived right as SGA was leading the Thunder in the NBA playoffs, earning him the nickname “playoff baby” among fans.
Ares’ Viral Moments
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First Birthday (2025): The couple celebrated Ares turning one with an emotional Instagram post: “No no no!! One already? Where does the time go!! Happy birthday to our little man, you complete us.”
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Courtside Debut: After a playoff win in May 2025, Shai brought Ares onto the court, where the toddler dribbled a basketball in matching sneakers with his dad—a moment that melted fans’ hearts.
Why the Name “Ares”?
Despite the Greek god of war association, Shai and Hailey just liked the name—no deeper mythology behind it.
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4. Hailey’s Role in Shai’s Career: More Than Just a WAG
Hailey isn’t just a supportive wife—she’s Shai’s biggest critic. In a 2024 interview, he revealed:
“She’ll say, ‘What’s the point of being out there if you’re not attacking?’ It’s a little hard, but I’m like, ‘You’re right.’ She has no reason to bulls**t me. She knows me better than anyone.”
She’s been spotted at nearly every Thunder game, offering both encouragement and tough love. And during Shai’s 2025 MVP speech, he got emotional thanking her:
“Hailey Summers, thank you for everything you are for me, for our son Ares. You were the first person to show me what love really meant.”
5. How They Handle Fame: Private but Not Secretive
Unlike some celebrity couples, SGA and Hailey:
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Avoid drama: They once sued over a shady $6M mansion deal but handled it quietly.
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Share selectively: Their Instagrams feature family moments, not staged influencer content.
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Stay grounded: Their Canadian roots and tight-knit families keep them humble.
Final Thoughts: A Love Built on Loyalty
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Hailey Summers’ relationship is rare in pro sports—a high school romance that survived NBA fame, long distance, and parenthood. They’re not just a couple; they’re a team, balancing Shai’s historic basketball career with the joys of raising Ares.
And if Shai’s MVP speech taught us anything? Hailey isn’t just his wife—she’s his heart.
