Canada is known for its passion for ice hockey as the game has a cultural connection with the Canadian populace. But since the 2000s, the game of Basketball has amassed a large fanbase that is slowly but steadily growing. The NBA has seen a rise in Canadian talent, with players from up North creating significant buzz and impact. In this article, we will provide an overview of Canadian players and present a list of current and all-time great Canadian players who have graced the hardwood floor of the National Basketball Association.
List of Active Canadian players in the NBA
| Player Name | Date of Birth | Position | Franchise/Team | Career Average (per game) |
| AJ Lawson | July 15, 2000 | Shooting guard | Dallas Mavericks | 3.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.1 steals (one season) |
| Kelly Olynyk | April 19, 1991 | Center/Power forward | Utah Jazz | 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks (10 seasons) |
| Eugene Omoruyi | February 14, 1997 | Small forward | Washington Wizards | 6.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.1 blocks (two seasons) |
| Dwight Powell | July 20, 1991 | Center/Power forward | Dallas Mavericks | 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks (nine seasons) |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | July 3, 2002 | Small forward | Dallas Mavericks | 24th overall pick, 2023 NBA Draft |
| Shaedon Sharpe | May 30, 2003 | Shooting guard | Portland Trail Blazers | 9.9 points, 3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks (one season) |
| Andrew Wiggins | February 23, 1995 | Small forward | Golden State Warriors | 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1 steal, 0.7 blocks (nine seasons) |
| Lindell Wigginton | March 28, 1998 | Shooting guard | Milwaukee Bucks | 5 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.1 blocks (two seasons) |
| Trey Lyles | November 5, 1995 | Power forward | Sacramento Kings | 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks (eight seasons) |
| Bennedict Mathurin | June 19, 2002 | Shooting guard | Indiana Pacers | 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks (one season) |
| Leonard Miller | November 26 2003 | Small forward | Minnesota Timberwolves | 33rd overall pick, 2023 NBA Draft |
| Jamal Murray | February 23, 1997 | Point guard | Denver Nuggets | 16.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1 steal, 0.3 blocks (seven seasons) |
| Andrew Nembhard | January 16, 2000 | Shooting guard | Indiana Pacers | 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks (one season) |
| Cory Joseph | August 20, 1991 | Point guard | Golden State Warriors | 7.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks (12 seasons) |
| Caleb Houstan | January 9, 2003 | Small forward | Orlando Magic | 3.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.1 blocks (one season) |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | July 12, 1998 | Point guard/Shooting guard | OKC | 21.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.7 blocks (five seasons) |
| Luguentz Dort | April 19, 1999 | Shooting guard | OKC | 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.3 blocks (four seasons) |
| Brandon Clarke | September 19, 1996 | Power forward | Memphis Grizzlies | 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.9 blocks (four seasons) |
| Dillon Brooks | January 22, 1996 | Small forward | Houston Rockets | 14.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.3 blocks (six seasons) |
| Oshae Brissett | June 20, 1998 | Small forward | Boston Celtics | 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks (four seasons) |
| Chris Boucher | January 11, 1993 | Power forward/Small forward | Toronto Raptors | 9.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.1 blocks (six seasons) |
| Khem Birch | September 28, 1992 | Center | San Antonio Spurs | 5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks (six seasons) |
| RJ Barrett | June 14, 2000 | Shooting guard | New York Knicks | 18.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks (four seasons) |
| Dalano Banton | November 7, 1999 | Point guard | Boston Celtics | 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.2 blocks (two seasons) |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | September 2 1998 | Shooting guard | Minnesota Timberwolves | 8.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks (four seasons) |
The growing Canadian presence in the league is reported to be a result of various factors which consist of funding and development programs at both grassroots and elite levels. The popularity generated in the process has played its hand of necessary exposure to better coaching and training opportunities resulting in a steady rise of basketball talents across Canada.
List of Former/Retired Canadian players in the NBA
| Player Name | Date of Birth | Position | Last Franchise/Team | Career Average (per game) |
| Jamaal Magloire | May 21, 1978 | Center | Toronto Raptors | 7.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.9 blocks (12 seasons) |
| Samuel Dalembert | May 10, 1981 | Center | New York Knicks | 7.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.7 blocks (14 seasons) |
| Steve Nash | 7 February, 1974 | Point guard | Los Angeles Lakers | 14.3 points, 3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.1 blocks (18 seasons) |
| Joel Anthony | August 9, 1982 | Center | San Antonio Spurs | 2.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.1 blocks (10 seasons) |
| Rick Fox | July 24, 1969 | Small forward | Los Angeles Lakers | 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1 steal, 0.4 blocks (13 seasons) |
| Todd MacCulloch | January 27, 1976 | Center | Philadelphia 76ers | 6.1 points, 4 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.8 blocks (four seasons) |
| Bill Wennington | April 26, 1963 | Center | Sacramento Kings | 4.6 points, 3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks (13 seasons) |
| Andy Rautins | November 2, 1986 | Shooting guard | New York Knicks | 1.6 points, 0.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.2 steals, no blocks (five games; one season) |
| Kris Joseph | December 17, 1988 | Small forward | Brooklyn Nets | 0.9 points, 0.7 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.3 steals, no blocks (10 games, one season) |
| Michael Smrek | August 31, 1962 | Center | Golden State Warriors | 2.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.8 blocks (seven seasons) |
| Robert Sacre | June 6, 1989 | Center | Los Angeles Lakers | 4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.6 blocks (four seasons) |
Canada has established itself as the home for popular Basketball players in the 21st Century. With current stars making waves in today's NBA and all-time greats leaving indelible marks on the league’s history, it is clear that Canadians continue to make meaningful impacts at every level of professional basketball worldwide. As Canada picks up its pace as a formidable Basketball nation, enthusiasts can expect this trend to continue.
FAQs
A. Hank Biasatti. He was selected by the Boston Celtics in the 1947 BAA (Basketball Association of America) Draft. BAA later absorbed NBL (National Basketball League) and became the NBA.
A. Steve Nash. Steve played 18 seasons and is a former two time winner of the NBA regular season award.
A. In NBA history, there have been only nine players to achieve the feat of becoming the NBA Champions. Mike Smrek was the first (1987,1988) and Jamal Murray is the latest (2023).
