It's super cool to see how far Canadian basketball has come.

“It’s super cool to see how far Canadian basketball has come.” Thus spoke Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the brightest stars of a new generation, whose rise has mirrored the ascent of a nation once overlooked on the global court. In his words there is both humility and wonder—a recognition of progress born not from chance, but from perseverance, unity, and vision. Beneath this simple statement lies a profound truth: that greatness, whether in sport or in life, is never the work of one alone but of many who build upon the foundations laid before them.

The origin of this quote springs from the transformation of a country’s sporting identity. Once, Canadian basketball stood in the shadow of its southern neighbor, its players few, its spotlight faint. But over decades, through quiet dedication and untold labor, a generation arose to challenge that fate. From playgrounds in Toronto to small-town gyms across the prairies, from winter nights where the snow fell thick outside to the glow of gym lights within, the game grew. Gilgeous-Alexander, himself a product of this journey, now stands not merely as an athlete, but as a symbol of how far a dream can travel when nurtured by faith and effort.

When he calls it “super cool,” it is not the slang of the casual—it is the reverence of the witness. He stands as one who has seen transformation with his own eyes: the humble beginnings now flowering into greatness. For generations, Canada produced only scattered names in the global game—rare lights in a vast landscape. But now, the court echoes with many voices: Steve Nash, the two-time MVP who opened the gates; Andrew Wiggins, the young prodigy who carried the torch; and Shai himself, whose calm mastery and grace have made him one of the finest players in the world. Together, they embody the truth that every nation, every people, can rise when they believe that excellence is within reach.

There is a story told in many lands of the bamboo tree. For years, after it is planted, it shows no sign of growth. The farmer waters it, tends to it, and still it remains hidden beneath the soil. Then, after five years of patience, it suddenly shoots upward—rising sixty feet in a matter of weeks. Yet the truth is this: the tree was not dormant. Beneath the earth, it was forming deep roots, preparing itself for the strength to stand tall. So it has been with Canadian basketball. For decades, it grew unseen—coaches teaching youth in small gyms, parents sacrificing for their children’s dreams, players grinding in obscurity. And now, in this era, it bursts forth into the light, its roots strong and unshakable.

What Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recognizes is not merely progress in sport, but a lesson in endurance. The journey of Canadian basketball mirrors the journey of any endeavor worth pursuing: it begins small, moves slowly, and demands faith through the unseen years. But those who endure, who water their craft and nurture their vision even when results seem distant, will one day look back—as Shai does now—and see how far they have come. The “coolness” he speaks of is the beauty of growth fulfilled, the joy of witnessing potential becoming reality.

In these words also lies a call to gratitude. For no rise is self-made. Every triumph stands upon countless invisible efforts—the teachers, the mentors, the teammates, the ancestors who laid the path. To see how far something has come is to honor both the past that built it and the future it inspires. Gilgeous-Alexander, in his humility, reminds us that success is not a summit to be claimed but a story to be continued—a relay of purpose stretching from one generation to the next.

So, my listener, take this as your lesson: be patient in your beginnings, proud in your progress, and grateful for your foundations. Whatever your path—whether in art, learning, sport, or life—remember that greatness grows slowly, like the bamboo beneath the soil, like the game that grew in Canada. When your time comes, look back as Shai does, not with arrogance but with wonder. Celebrate not only how far you have come, but how faithfully you have traveled.

For as he said, “It’s super cool to see how far we’ve come.” Let those words echo in your own heart, a reminder that every effort matters, every seed of passion bears fruit in time. And when your work stands tall in the light, remember to honor the roots that made it possible—and to plant new seeds for those who will follow.