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The NBA is dominated by US-based players, with a few international players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic leaving their mark in the league. However, Canada's growing influence on the NBA is becoming conspicuous as more and more players from north of the border are making their presence known in the league.
The influx of Canadians in the NBA has not slowed down, as more youngsters from the Great White North are looking to ply their trade in the league. A record-setting six Canadians were selected in the 2019 NBA draft. While nine prospects declared for the 2021 draft, only seven went through with it as two elected to return to college.
The exploits of the Toronto Raptors have also helped popularize basketball in Canada. The Raptors are the only NBA franchise based out of Canada, and they won their first-ever championship in 2019.
Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander are some of the notable Canadians playing in the NBA right now. While they have not made it to the all-time list, they have a bright future ahead of them and could one day reach the heights that no other Canadian basketball player has reached.
With all that in mind, here are the top five Canadian NBA players of all time.
#5 Jamaal Magloire
Jamaal Magloire currently serves as the basketball development consultant for the Toronto Raptors. However, before this stint, he played in the NBA for twelve seasons.
Magloire was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2000 NBA draft with the 19th pick. Despite having a below-average rookie and sophomore season, things started to look up for the Toronto-born big man.
He averaged his first and only career double-double at the end of the 2003-04 season. He also got an All-Star nod that year.
#4 Tristan Thompson
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Tristan Thompson in the 2011 NBA draft with the 4th overall pick. Although he did not win the Rookie of the Year award that season, he was selected to the All-Rookie team.
Thompson was an invaluable member of the Cavs' NBA championship team led by LeBron James. He was the team's second-best rebounder, averaging 6.7 points and nine rebounds in the 2016 playoffs.
Although he has never made an All-Star team, his production has been consistent as he has proved to be a high-level rebounder. He proudly represented Team Canada in several international competitions.
#3 Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins, although still active, has already cemented his position as one of the greatest Canadian NBA players of all time. He was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 NBA draft with the 1st overall pick, becoming the second player in the nation's history to be the No. 1 pick.
Wiggins stands a decent chance of being the best Canadian to have ever played in the NBA. Although he is yet to win a championship, he won the Rookie of the Year award in 2015 and has averaged 20+ points in a single season, a milestone no other Canadian has reached.
#2 Rick Fox
Rick Fox is undoubtedly one of the best Canadians to play in the NBA. Although he started as a rotation player, he later got first-team action and made tremendous use of the opportunity.
Fox's best run in the NBA ought to be his time with the Boston Celtics. He had his best run with them during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. However, he found more success in terms of championships after he joined the LA Lakers.
Although Fox was dropped to the bench after starting all 82 games for the Lakers in his first year, things picked up for the wingman as he was reinstated into the starting lineup. During his time with the Lakers, he helped achieve a three-peat which started in 2000.
Fox scored 8,966 career points and is ranked third on the all-time scoring list. He lost the No. 2 spot to Wiggins, who has crossed the 10,000-point mark.
#1 Steve Nash
Steve Nash was born in South Africa, but his family moved to Canada while he was a baby. Growing up in Saskatchewan, he developed an early interest in other sports and only took up basketball when he was 12.
Despite his somewhat late start, Nash developed into one of the most efficient shooters in NBA history. He started his NBA career in 1996 after he was selected with the 15th pick by the Phoenix Suns.
Nash struggled in the early stages of his career as he failed to solidify himself as an elite passer and shooter. However, things took off for him in the 2004-05 season, where he averaged 15.5 points and led the league in assists with 11.5 per game.
Given his impressive shooting and court vision, Nash won two consecutive NBA MVP awards and is the most valued member of the 50-40-90 club. Of all nine members, he is the only one that has achieved the feat in four different seasons from 2006-2010.
Nash leads all Canadian nationals who have played in the NBA in points and assists. In NBA history, he is ranked third on the assists leaderboard behind John Stockton and Jason Kidd.
Guess the Lakers players!
