The 2025 NBA Finals have arrived — and if you’re watching, you already know: this isn’t just a battle between two elite teams. It’s a showdown between individuals who took wildly different paths to arrive at this moment. Some were blue-chip prospects. Others were overlooked. A few were doubted, traded, or almost forgotten. But all of them, these hoopers now playing on basketball’s biggest stage, share one thing in common: they earned this.
Here’s how the stars of the 2025 NBA Finals began their journeys — from childhood dreams to defining moments that led them to this clash for the crown.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — The Silent Riser
Now widely regarded as one of the most gifted scorers and smoothest operators in the league, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey didn’t start with fanfare. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Shai was never the loudest or flashiest name in his class. He wasn’t even a five-star recruit out of high school. But what he had was a deep, relentless work ethic — and a quiet confidence that he’d make it.
After one season at Kentucky, he was drafted 11th overall by the Hornets in 2018 and traded on draft night to the Clippers. That stint helped him gain poise, but the real opportunity came when he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Paul George deal. Many thought OKC was entering a full rebuild. Instead, Shai used it as a launchpad.
Now, in 2025, he’s the heart of a Finals team, the “Basketball Poet” whose journey from overlooked prospect to MVP candidate has inspired millions.
Jayson Tatum — The Prodigy’s Maturation
Jayson Tatum’s name has been floating in NBA circles since he was a teenager. Coming out of St. Louis, he was a highly touted high school player who starred at Duke for one season before being selected 3rd overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.
He made an immediate impact — remember that slam over LeBron in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals? But it’s what came after that defined his journey. He didn’t just rise — he evolved. There were years of coming up short, learning how to lead, taking on more responsibility, and turning frustration into fuel.
In 2025, after multiple All-Star appearances and a Finals heartbreak in 2022, Tatum returns to the championship stage with more tools, more maturity, and an unshakable desire to finish what he started.
Tyrese Haliburton — The Maestro Nobody Saw Coming
Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t supposed to be here. A 3-star recruit out of Wisconsin who stayed close to home at Iowa State, Haliburton wasn’t hyped like some of his peers. But the league soon learned what scouts missed: elite vision, basketball IQ off the charts, and a calm confidence that never wavered.
Drafted by the Kings and later traded to the Indiana Pacers in the Domantas Sabonis deal, Haliburton took off. In Indiana, he became the guy, orchestrating the offense, shooting the three, leading the break, and creating for others like a seasoned vet.
Now, he’s in the Finals, praised by legends and coaches alike, proving that talent + trust = triumph.
Chet Holmgren — The Unicorn Who Waited
Few players have entered the league with more intrigue than Chet Holmgren. A 7-foot center with guard skills and wingspan for days, Holmgren was drafted 2nd overall in 2022 by the Thunder — only to miss his entire rookie season due to injury.
But Chet didn’t let the setback define him. Instead, he turned the year off into a year of preparation. He added strength, studied film, and sharpened every skill. By the time he debuted in 2023, he looked like a ready-made defensive anchor and offensive weapon.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Chet is protecting the rim, spacing the floor, and helping OKC chase a title — the ultimate testament to patience, perseverance, and belief in the long game.
Jaylen Brown — From Batman’s Shadow to His Own Spotlight
Jaylen Brown’s journey has always been about stepping into his full self. A high-IQ prospect out of Cal, Brown was selected 3rd overall by the Celtics in 2016. For years, he and Tatum have been Boston’s one-two punch — with plenty of debate over whose team it really is.
But Jaylen stayed the course. Through trade rumors, media narratives, and playoff battles, he kept improving: sharper handle, stronger drives, tighter defense. And now in 2025, he’s not just a sidekick — he’s a Finals closer, a two-way star whose leadership matters as much as his stat line.
Brown’s journey is a reminder that greatness doesn’t always come from hype — sometimes, it comes from grit and steady growth.
Luguentz Dort — Undrafted and Unafraid
Few stories are more inspiring than Lu Dort’s. Undrafted out of Arizona State in 2019, Dort clawed his way into the Thunder’s rotation through sheer hustle, defense, and toughness. His iconic performance guarding James Harden in the 2020 bubble was just the beginning.
Now in 2025, Dort is a vital piece of OKC’s Finals run — a lockdown defender, emotional leader, and certified playoff gamer. From undrafted to invaluable, his journey embodies the underdog spirit.
The Bigger Picture
Every hooper in the 2025 Finals has a story — a moment when the dream felt out of reach, a time they were counted out, or a decision that changed their path forever. Some were crowned stars before they turned 18. Others had to prove it every step of the way.
But that’s what makes this Finals special. It’s not just about winning a ring. It’s about the years it took to get here. The early mornings. The heartbreaks. The setbacks. The silence before the applause.
Now the lights are brightest, and the game is on the line. But these hoopers? They’ve already done the hard part — they made it.
And no matter who walks away with the trophy, their journeys to the 2025 Finals will echo far beyond the final buzzer.
