In honor of this week’s theme, here’s a complete look at all of Canada’s current NBA players.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) • Hamilton, Ontario
-2023 All-Star candidate, could also be in the running for Most Improved Player; someone for OKC to build around for the foreseeable future; incredible pace as a mid range scorer, has a very confident step to his game
Andrew Wiggins (GSW) • Toronto, Ontario
-2022 NBA Champion & All-Star; former #1 overall pick; one of the top, two-way forces in the league, plays his supporting role (on the Dubs) to a tee; crazy athletic, loves to lock up, knock down Js & posterize opps
Jamal Murray (DEN) • Kitchener, Ontario
-Top DOG, great #2 option in Denver; one of the best, current players (w/ tenure) that hasn't made an All-Star team (yet); can flip the switch and spark an offense in the blink of an eye - stone cold, clutch shooter (and scorer) who thrives in big moments
RJ Barrett (NYK) • Mississauga, Ontario
-#3 overall pick in 2019; has emerged as one of the new faces of New York Knicks basketball; does very nice work on both ends of the court - at his best offensively when driving hard to the left; still possesses untapped potential - looking to (help) lead NYK to eventual playoff success
Dillon Brooks (MEM) • Mississauga, Ontario
-Gritty, veteran wing who fits as a strong defender & scorer in Memphis; second round success story (drafted 45th overall in 2017); NEVER met a shot he hasn't liked - brash confidence can produce huge nights; doesn’t back down from anyone
Luguentz Dort (OKC) • Montreal, Quebec
-Undrafted two-guard who specializes in limiting his matchup on his perimeter - bulldog defender; offers great support to fellow Canadian, SGA in OKC; Star UnderDOG talent whose game will continue to shine as the Thunder add more overall talent
Brandon Clarke (MEM) • Vancouver, British Columbia
-High-jumping F/C w/ a great role as Memphis’s “third big”; works hard in every area + features one of the nicest floaters you’ll see from a player at that’s at least 6’7 (or taller); perpetually underrated, could break out under the right circumstances; born in Vancouver, grew up in Arizona
Kelly Olynyk (UTA) • Toronto, Ontario/Kamloops, British Columbia
-Stable, veteran big who also falls in the “underrated” category, especially amongst bigs; stretch 4/5 who’s liable to score at least 12 points and pull down 7 boards practically every night; perfect fit for nearly situation - brings the same effort & productivity whether he’s on a contending or lottery team
Bennedict Mathurin (IND) • Montreal, Quebec
-Strong 2023 Rookie of the Year (& Sixth Man of the Year) candidate for the Pacers; super, scoring sub who loves to hit from outside and get inside for difficult finishes (great body control, can score around strong D); UP NEXT: should quickly climb the unofficial list of “Top Canadian Hoopers”
Shaedon Sharpe (POR) • London, Ontario
-Phenomenal prospect, drafted 7th overall in 2022; outstanding athlete (glides in the air) w/ supreme confidence in himself; has the play style of someone who’ll perform at a very high level for a long time
Trey Lyles (SAC) • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
-Talented hooper who often provides solid support in Unit #2; light touch that extends to three-point land; along w/ K. Olynyk & C. Joseph, Lyles has played for the most teams (5) out of any current, Canadian player
Chris Boucher (TOR) • Montreal, Quebec
-One of the game’s Most Improved bigs over the last few seasons; wiry, 6’10 presence who loves to score from deep & block shots; 1 of 3 current Canadians playing for Toronto; 2x NBA Champion, played sparingly during Golden State’s runs in 2017 & 2018
Dwight Powell (DAL) • Toronto, Ontario
-Nice, long career as a second round pick outta Stanford; fits nicely in Dallas, offers a (nearly) mistake-free option up front for Coach Jason Kidd; not a high output player in terms of production, though boosts morale & chemistry while performing his duties well
Andrew Nembhard (IND) • Aurora, Ontario
-Remember the name, Andrew Nembhard; two-way playmaker who can defend, light it up from deep & make slick passes; great college career at Florida & Gonzaga; got a record, 4-year deal as a second round pick (2022); future starting-level PG in the league
Cory Joseph (DET) • Toronto, Ontario
-Got a ring (w/ SAS in 2014) and brought it home (3 seasons w/ Toronto from 2015-2017); veteran playmaker, nice mentor for young PGs; has always had a nice, even-keeled approach to the game
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (UTA) • Toronto, Ontario
-Shifty, 6’5 guard w/ upside; good dexterity w/ his handle, can score from inside & mid range: fun player to watch once he has it going; starting to find his way in his 1st year w/ the Jazz; cousin of OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oshae Brissett (IND) • Mississauga, Ontario
-Undrafted forward outta Syracuse - caught on w/ the Pacers a couple of seasons ago; nice perimeter scorer w/ size (6’7, 210), can get hot from downtown; born in Toronto, moved to Mississauga at a young age
Dalano Banton (TOR) • Toronto, Ontario (Neigbourhood: Rexdale)
-From…REXDALE!*, first Canadian-born player EVER drafted by the Raptors; 6’7 guard w/ a very smooth attack: can pull-up from beyond, hang & score, push the pace & find teammates; love to classify him as a “diamond in the rough'“ - very solid, long-term potential in the Association; 1 of 3 current Canadians playing for Toronto
*as Raptors play-by-play announcer Matt Devlin loves to say!
Khem Birch (TOR) • Russell, Ontario
-Low-key Watch DOG (shot-blocking) threat who broke through in the NBA w/ the Orlando Magic after strong Summer & G League showings (undrafted outta UNLV); nice big for Coach Nick Nurse to lean on, re-upped w/ Raps (2022) - 1 of 3 current Canadians playing for Toronto
Caleb Houstan (ORL) • Mississauga, Ontario
-Up & coming, 6’8 wing w/ an easy release from deep; highly coveted by Orlando in the 2022 Draft (32nd overall); getting solid PT in Year 1, will grow (and go) far w/ their young core; attended high school in Florida
Eugene Omoruyi (OKC) • Orangeville, Ontario
-Former Oregon star turned skilled, 2Way prospect in OKC; unheralded, all-around forward who can space the floor; could crack Coach Mark Daigeneault’s rotation soon; Nigerian-Canadian
Mfiondu Kabengele (BOS) • Burlington, Ontario
-On current, 2Way deal w/ Boston; shot-blocker, rebounder - growing into himself/gaining confidence in the G League; nephew of NBA legend, Dikembe Mutombo
• rookies italicized