SGA to be presented key to the City of Hamilton at upcoming rally

Following “hometown hero” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s record-breaking season in the NBA, Hamilton will hold a free public rally to celebrate the accomplishments of the athlete.

The event is set for Aug. 7 at 3:30 p.m. at Hamilton Stadium, 64 Melrose Ave. North.

Mayor Andrea Horwath says she will present SGA with a key to the city, making the basketball player the first to receive the honour since 1988.

“It’s a symbolic gesture of the deep pride and admiration Hamilton holds for one of its own,” Horwath says in the release for the event.

“This free community rally is our way of showing Shai just how proud we are of his incredible accomplishments, and the way he continues to carry Hamilton with him on the global stage.”

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The celebration will continue during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats home game against the BC Lions at 7:30 p.m. where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be honoured during the game.

Tickets are free and available through pre-registration on the Ti-Cats website. These tickets do not allow access to the game at 7:30 p.m., only the rally before.

“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 says when asked about what coming home to Hamilton for this celebration means to him.

“I wouldn’t be who I am today without this city, and I’m deeply grateful for the continued love and support.”

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