The future looks bright for Canada’s national basketball team, with many of their players starring in the NBA and regularly putting out show-stealing performances.
Team Canada made it to the quarterfinals at the Olympics before being knocked out by eventual silver medalists France and given the age of many of their stars - every player in our top 10 is under 29 years old - it would be no surprise to see them build on that in 2028.
We have taken a look at the top 10 Canadians in the NBA, analyzing how they performed in 2024 and what to expect in 2025.
There was a fear that Andrew Nembhard’s progress had stagnated somewhat after putting up similar numbers in his sophomore year to what he achieved in his rookie season, but he seems to be back on the right track this term.
The Indiana Pacers guard has seen his average points per game go from 9.2 to 10.9, rebounds from 2.1 to 3.1 and assists rise from 4.1 to 4.9.
He is also a capable defender and will be looking to help the Pacers reach the playoffs in 2025.
The only rookie on the list, Zach Edey has wasted no time settling into the NBA, averaging 11.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for the 22-11 Memphis Grizzlies.
Edey’s ability to dominate the paint with his 7-foot-4 frame while also being able to space the floor - he has knocked down 42.9 percent of his three-pointers - makes him an invaluable asset.
He will be key to the Grizzlies’ hopes in the playoffs, while also making up part of Canada’s core for years to come.
Some will argue that Shaedon Sharpe should be higher on this list. However, while he certainly has the talent to become a star in the NBA, the truth is he is yet to add enough strings to his bow to warrant that tag yet.
The young guard is averaging an impressive 17.8 points per game thanks to his sensational dunking ability and solid three-point shooting, but his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired - he averages just 2.5 assists per game - as does his defending.
The second Pacer on this list, Bennedict Mathurin is another like Nembhard who seemed to be stagnating, however, a delve into his stats show he is back on an upward curve.
Mathurin has seen his points (14.5 to 16.6), rebounds (4.0 to 6.2), steals (0.6 to 0.7) and blocks (0.2 to 0.4) all rise this season and he is swiftly improving on both ends of the floor, suggesting he could be a valuable two-way player for years to come.
Often outshone by his flashier teammates, Lugentz Dort knows his role at the Thunder and he sticks to it. Dort’s job is to guard the opposition’s best guard and make life a nightmare for whoever that may be.
He is excellent in that role, while also contributing a solid average of 9.6 points per game, and his average +7.2 plus/minus rating speaks for itself when it comes to explaining his importance to the West’s best team
Love him or loathe him, nobody can deny Dillon Brooks’ impact on the Houston Rockets. They finished with a 41-41 record last term yet they have started this campaign 21-11, with Brooks a huge reason why.
His relentless defending is already notorious, but most impressive has been his improvement on offense, making a career-high 2.3 three-pointers per game this term.
Brooks was the defensive player of the tournament at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and, in him and Dort, Canada have a pair capable of locking up any offense.
Despite enduring a down year by his standards, Andrew Wiggins remains one of the top Canadians in the NBA.
His rebounds, points and steals are lower than have been at times in his career but one positive is his improvement from beyond the arc, with Wiggins knocking down over 40 percent of his threes for the first time in his career.
His energy is still crucial to the Golden State Warriors and he will be as pivotal as ever should they feature in the postseason.
Two years ago Jamal Murray would have been the undoubted number one on this list, but some persistent injuries and the emergence of a certain someone means he has fallen to third.
Murray is still a key cog for the Nuggets machine as they go in search of a second championship in three years and his output of 19.8 points and 6.4 assists, while making 44 percent of his shots, makes him still one of the best point guards in the NBA.
The less said about the record of RJ Barrett’s team, the Toronto Raptors, the better. However, Barrett himself has enjoyed another strong year and, on an individual basis, has improved as a player.
His points-per-game average is up to 23.4 - 5.2 higher than his last half-season with the New York Knicks - while he is also averaging career-highs in assists (6.2) and rebounds (6.8).
That consistent development suggests that, alongside our number one player, he should lead Team Canada for the next decade or so.
By far the easiest pick in this top 10, not only is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the best Canadian in the NBA, he is also in the conversation as the best player in the league, period.
Only Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.7) is averaging more points per game than the Thunder star’s 31.0 in the NBA, while he is also registering more steals (1.9) and blocks (1.2) than any other Canadian in the league.
SGA also ranks first in numerous advanced stats, including VORP, win shares and defensive win shares.
With his Thunder team currently 26-5 and running away with the West, it would be no surprise to see him named MVP come the end of the season.