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The Best Canadian NBA Players to Impact the NBA in 2026
If you are asking how many Canadian players are in the NBA, then there are approximately 25 Canadian players in the NBA. This makes it the most represented country outside of the US. This top 10 list is merely our opinion of the best Canadian players currently playing – it’s by no means definitive. Always research players and team form when betting on the NBA.#10: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Guard (SG/PG)
Year Drafted: 2019, 1st Round, 17th overall (by the Brooklyn Nets, traded to the Pelicans.
>College: Virginia Tech Highest PPG total: 38 points vs. San Antonio Spurs (Nov 20, 2025) Highest Assists total: 9 assists vs. Orlando Magic (Aug 13, 2020) Highest Rebounds total: 14 rebounds vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Oct 23, 2021) Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a shooting guard known for his defensive intensity, versatility, and improving two-way game. Drafted 17th overall in 2019 out of Virginia Tech, he has developed into a reliable rotation player. He is noted for being capable of handling both guard spots while providing perimeter shooting and on-ball defense. Alexander-Walker is a cousin of one of the top NBA Canadian players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and they grew up playing basketball together in Toronto.
#9: RJ Barrett
Team: Toronto Raptors (also played for the New York Knicks)
Position: Forward-Guard (SG/SF)
Year Drafted: 2019, Round 1, Pick 3 (by the New York Knicks)
College: Duke University
Highest PPG total: 46 points vs Miami Heat (Feb 25, 2022)
Highest Assists total: 15 assists vs Boston Celtics (Nov 16, 2024)
Highest Rebounds total: 15 rebounds (twice)
RJ Barrett is the lone full-time Canadian NBA player at the Raptors. Known for his aggressive downhill style on the wing and high scoring ability. He averaged a club-best 21.1pts in 2024, along with 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists.
Barrett’s career has been blighted by notable injuries and health issues, including repeated knee issues.
#8: Dillon Brooks
Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
Year Drafted: 2017 (2nd Round, 45th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies)
College: University of Oregon
Highest PPG total: 32 points against Sacramento Kings (Feb 28, 2020)
Highest Assists total: 8 assists against Detroit Pistons (April 8, 2018)
Highest Rebounds total: 10 rebounds against Memphis Grizzlies (Feb 14, 2024)
Drafted in 2017 out of Oregon, Dillon Brooks has carved out a reputation as one of the most competitive Canadian NBA players. With the Houston Rockets, he became a key figure in the team’s defensive turnaround. His skills helped drive a more disciplined, hard-nosed identity, pushing the squad back toward playoff contention.
The veteran averaged 14 points in his final season at the Rockets before switching to the Suns as part of a big seven-team trade. One that included Kevin Durant going to Houston.
#7: Brandon Clarke
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Power Forward / Center
Year Drafted: 2019 (1st Round, 21st overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder; traded to Memphis)
College: Gonzaga University
Highest PPG total: 27 points against Portland Trail Blazers (Feb 13, 2020)
Highest Assists total: 5 assists against Denver Nuggets (Dec 28, 2019)
Highest Rebounds total: 15 rebounds against LA Clippers (Jan 8, 2022)
Now in his seventh season in Memphis, Brandon Clarke is famed for his stunning athleticism, efficiency around the rim, and defensive versatility. Drafted 21st overall in 2019 out of Gonzaga, he quickly became a key rotation piece for the Memphis Grizzlies. Here, he thrived as a high-energy finisher and shot blocker.
As part of the Grizzlies’ rise into a consistent playoff team, he has played an important role in their fast-paced, defense-first identity. Clarke has provided impact well beyond the box score.
#6: Luguentz Dort
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
Year Drafted: Undrafted (2019)
College: Arizona State University
Highest PPG total: 42 points against Utah Jazz (Apr 13, 2021)
Highest Assists total: 7 assists against Milwaukee Bucks (Nov 5, 2022)
Highest Rebounds total: 11 rebounds (twice)
Luguentz Dort is a guard-forward renowned for his elite perimeter defense, physical strength, and relentless motor. Undrafted in 2019 out of Arizona State, he earned his role with the Oklahoma City Thunder through defensive toughness and steady offensive growth.
With the Thunder, he has been a defensive anchor on a young, playoff-contending team built on intensity, versatility, and disciplined team-first basketball.
#5: Zach Edey
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Center
Year Drafted: 2024 (1st Round, 9th overall)
College: Purdue University
Highest PPG total: 32 points against Sacramento Kings (Nov 30, 2025)
Highest Assists total: 6 assists against Detroit Pistons (Apr 6, 2025)
Highest Rebounds total: 21 rebounds against Detroit Pistons (Apr 5, 2025)
At 7ft 3in, Zach Edey is a towering center known for his dominant inside presence, rebounding, and efficient scoring. Drafted 9th overall in 2024 out of Purdue, he quickly became a focal point for the Memphis Grizzlies. He uses his size and skill to control the paint on both ends.
The 300-pound center is one of a league-high three Canadians on the Grizzlies’ roster. Other Canadian teammates include forwards Brandon Clarke and two-way player Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
#4: Bennedict Mathurin
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Guard / Forward
Year Drafted: 2022 (1st Round, 6th overall by the Pacers)
College: University of Arizona
Highest PPG total: 38 points against New York Knicks (Nov 10, 2024)
Highest Assists total: 8 assists (multiple games)
Highest Rebounds total: 16 rebounds against Brooklyn Nets (Mar 21, 2025)
Bennedict Mathurin is one of the best Canadian NBA players of recent times, with a career points average of 16.1. He’s famed for his explosive scoring, athleticism, and fearless shot-making. Drafted sixth overall in 2022 out of Arizona, he quickly became a key offensive weapon for the Indiana Pacers. During his time there, he thrived as an aggressive scorer on the perimeter and in transition.
The Pacers were unexpectedly crowned Eastern champions in 2024-25, and Mathurin came off the bench to score a game-high 27 points in their Game 3 win over the Thunder. He also posted a team-best 24 in Indy’s 103-91 loss in Game 7.
#3: Caleb Houstan
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Small Forward / Guard
Year Drafted: 2022 (2nd Round, 32nd overall by the Orlando Magic)
College: University of Michigan
Highest PPG total: 25 points against Atlanta Hawks (Jan 7, 2024)
Highest Assists total: 4 assists against Atlanta Hawks (Jan 7, 2024)
Highest Rebounds total: 8 rebounds against Toronto Raptors (Jan 21, 2025)
Caleb Houstan is one of the most valuable wings in the NBA thanks to his shooting touch, size, and defensive potential. The 6-foot-8-inch forward is currently on a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks and their G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. This came after originally being drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2022.
On January 7, 2024, Houston posted a career-high 25 points (including 7–14 from 3-point range) as the Magic registered an overtime victory against his future employers, the Atlanta Hawks.
#2: Andrew Nembhard
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Guard / Point Guard
Year Drafted: 2022 (2nd Round, 31st overall)
College: Gonzaga University
Highest PPG total: 32 points against Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov 21, 2025)
Highest Assists total: 15 assists against Milwaukee Bucks (Mar 29, 2023)
Highest Rebounds total: 9 rebounds against Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec 26, 2024)
Andrew Nembhard has one of the highest basketball IQs of any Canadian NBA player. Drafted 31st overall in 2022 out of Gonzaga, he quickly earned a key role with the Indiana Pacers. He is known as a reliable ball-handler, defender, and secondary playmaker.
In the 2024-25 season, Nembhard posted career-best averages of 10.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. These stats meant he played a key role in Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals. Among Canadian-born players, the Ontario native already sits ninth all-time in assists with 947. Understanding these stats is important when learning sports betting terminology.
#1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard
Year Drafted: 2018 (1st Round, 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets; traded to the Clippers)
College: University of Kentucky
Highest PPG total: 54 points against Utah Jazz (Jan 22, 2025)
Highest Assists total: 14 against Toronto Raptors (Feb 4, 2024)
Highest Rebounds total: 20 against Minnesota Timberwolves (Jan 13, 2020)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best NBA players from Canada, so much so that he’s one of only two Canadians to be awarded MVP (2025). Toronto-born, SGA is a superstar guard known for his elite shot creation, smooth ball control, and two-way excellence. Drafted 11th overall in 2018 out of Kentucky, he has become the franchise cornerstone of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is now one of the league’s most consistent scorers.
Among Canadian-born players, Gilgeous-Alexander leads the way, averaging an NBA-best 24.4 points per game as of June 2025. He also ranks second all-time with 11,294 career points, while shooting an impressive 50.1 percent from the field.
Canadian Basketball Players in the NBA Who Have Won the MVP Award
The most prestigious individual award in the NBA is the MVP award. It’s been an elusive award for Canadian players in the NBA in the past, with only two players ever reaching the holy grail, most recently with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2024-25. NBA fans who have a strong opinion on who might win the MVP award can back their opinion at the best online sportsbooks by wagering on the MVP futures market, which is widely available across most betting sites throughout the season.- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – “SGA” is widely regarded as the best player in the NBA right now. Gilgeous-Alexander made history as the first Canadian – and only the fifth non-American – to be named Finals MVP in the award’s 56-year history. As of mid-2025, the superstar guard averaged an NBA-best 24.4 career points.
- Steve Nash – The only two-time MVP winner (2004-05 & 2005-06) from Canada. Nash is an eight-time All-Star who ranks as one of the top players in NBA history in career three-point shooting, free-throw shooting, total assists, and assists per game.
Who is the Best Canadian Basketball Player of All Time
Only one Canadian has been inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame, and that’s the legendary Bob Houbregs. The 6ft 8in Center scored over 2,600 points in just five NBA seasons, a record that makes him an automatic choice for any list of the best NBA players from Canada. So, who joins Houbregs on our all-timers list? Here’s our top 10, but remember, this is just our opinion – you might have a strong opinion on who should be in the list of best Canadian NBA players of all time.10 Best Canadian Basketball Players of All Time
Below, we’ve compiled a list of our all-time greatest Canada NBA players. However, this is ONLY our opinion – would these players make your top 10 list?#10: Rick Fox
Team: Boston Celtics and LA Lakers
Position: Small forward
Year Drafted: 1991
College: North Carolina
Highest PPG total: 34 points against New York Knicks (Mar 7, 1997)
Highest Assists total: 10 assists (multiple)
Highest Rebounds total: 16 rebounds against Boston Celtics (Jan 5, 1996)
Rick Fox is a three-time NBA champion who spent six seasons with the Celtics before joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Joining as a free agent in 1997, he went on to play seven seasons in Los Angeles. This included winning three NBA championships before he retired in 2004 after a 13-year career.
Renowned for his toughness, leadership, and versatility, he went on to pursue acting (Oz, He Got Game). He then expanded into tech and esports as the owner of the Echo Fox team, and later entered Bahamian politics.
#9: Lars Hansen
Team: Seattle Supersonics Position: Center Year Drafted: 1976 College: University of Washington Highest PPG total: 19 points against Milwaukee Bucks (Dec 19, 1978) Highest Assists total: 5 assists against Milwaukee Bucks (Dec 19, 1978) Highest Rebounds total: 12 rebounds against Milwaukee Bucks (Dec 19, 1978) Regarded as one of Canada’s greatest post players, Hansen was born in Denmark before relocating with his family to British Columbia at the age of two. Standing 6ft 10, he had a strong collegiate career at the University of Washington. His scoring averages were 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds during his senior season in 1975-76. While he achieved his greatest professional success in Europe, Hansen also appeared in 15 games for the 1978-79 NBA champion Seattle SuperSonics. In addition, he was a key contributor to the Canadian national team. This led to an induction into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.#8: Cory Joseph
Team: San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic.
>Position: Point Guard Year Drafted: 2011 College: University of Texas Highest PPG total: 31 points against Orlando Magic (Jan 30, 2018) Highest Assists total: 13 assists against NY Knicks (Mar 18, 2015) Highest Rebounds total: 12 rebounds against Indiana Pacers (Nov 4, 2017) Among Canadian NBA players, Joseph may be the most underrated name on this list. A Toronto native, he completed his 14th NBA season in 2024-25. He captured an NBA championship with San Antonio in just his third year in the league. Known for his defensive prowess, Joseph has suited up for seven NBA franchises as of June 2025. In that time, he has amassed over 5,800 points, 2,500 assists, 2,000 rebounds, and 600 steals. He has also served as captain of the Canadian national team.
#7: Jamaal Magloire
Team: Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors.
>Position: Center Year Drafted: 2000 College: Kentucky Highest PPG total: 31 points against Orlando Magic (Jan 30, 2018)~Highest Assists total: 13 assists against New York Knicks (Mar 18, 2015) Highest Rebounds total: 12 rebounds against Atlanta Hawks (Nov 4, 2017) Before Gilgeous-Alexander rose to NBA stardom, where he won a national title in 1998, Toronto’s Magloire had already made history as just the second Canadian to be named an NBA All-Star, earning the honor in 2003-04 with the New Orleans Hornets. Standing 6ft 11, Magloire played from 2001 to 2012. He led all Canadian-born players with 603 career blocks and ranked second with 4,408 rebounds.
#6: Juan Mendez
Team: Pallacanestro Trapani, Panellinios, Ironi Nahariya, Maccabi Rishon LeZion, Xinjiang Flying Tigers, BC Dnipro, Cocolos, Montreal Jazz, GUG
Position: Power forward
Year Drafted: 2005 (undrafted)
College: Niagara
Highest PPG total: 37 points against Canisius (Dec 3, 2004)
Highest Assists total: 7 for Niagara College
Highest Rebounds total: 16 rebounds (multiple times)
From 2001 to 2005, Montreal’s Mendez compiled 2,210 points and 1,053 rebounds over a standout four-year career at Niagara. He earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2005. This included averaging a career-high 23.5 points and 10.6 rebounds.
Although he never reached the NBA, Mendez found professional success in Europe and Asia. He was also a long-time contributor to Team Canada.
#5: Jamaal Murray
Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Point guard
Year Drafted: 2016
College: Kentucky
Highest PPG total: 55 points against Portland Trail Blazers (Feb 12, 2025)
Highest Assists total: 15 assists against Dallas Mavericks (December 18, 2018)
Highest Rebounds total: 11 rebounds against LA Lakers (Dec 2, 2019)
Murray was part of the Team Canada squad that captured silver at the 2015 Pan American Games. Since joining the NBA with Denver in 2016, he has developed into one of the league’s top players. He has averaged at least 20 points per season over four consecutive campaigns (2021-25). In turn, this has helped the Nuggets secure the 2023 NBA championship.
The Ontario native is on track to become just the third Canadian NBA player to surpass 10,000 career points during the 2025-26 season. He also leads all Canadian players with a 38.1% three-point shooting mark and an 87% free-throw percentage.
#4: Steve Nash
Team: Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, LA Lakers.
>Position: Point guard Year Drafted: 1996 College: Santa Clara Highest PPG total: 48 points against Seattle SuperSonics (Apr 5, 2005) Highest Assists total: 22 assists against San Antonio Spurs (Feb 9, 2005) Highest Rebounds total: 14 rebounds against LA Clippers (Nov 6, 2007) Although widely regarded as Canada’s greatest basketball player, Nash was actually born in South Africa. His family relocated to Saskatchewan when he was an infant, and later to Victoria, British Columbia. After a standout career at Santa Clara, Nash played 18 NBA seasons. He earned eight All-Star selections and back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 with the Phoenix Suns. Nash ranks fifth in league history with 10,335 career assists and 11th with an 8.5 assists-per-game average. He has also amassed 17,300 points. Nash starred for the Canadian national team from 1991 to 2003 and served as its general manager from 2012 to 2019. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
#3: Kelly Olynyk
Team: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs.
>Position: Center / Power forward Year Drafted: 2013 College: Gonzaga Highest PPG total: 32 points against Indiana Pacers (Mar 5, 2020) Highest Assists total: 11 assists against Detroit Pistons (Apr 1, 2022) Highest Rebounds total: 18 rebounds against Charlotte Hornets (Apr 10, 2019) Toronto native Kelly Olynyk carved out an outstanding college résumé at Gonzaga, earning All-American honors. In 2013, he was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year. That success propelled him to the NBA, where the 6-foot-11 big man has quietly built one of the most durable careers among Canadian players. He completed his 12th season in 2024-25. Now a veteran of seven NBA franchises, Olynyk ranks among the top five all-time for Canadian-born players in points (8,139), rebounds (4,124), blocks (370), and shooting efficiency.
#2: Bill Wennington
Team: Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls
Position: Center
Year Drafted: 1985
College: St. John’s
Highest PPG total: 25 points against Sacramento Kings (1995-96)
Highest Assists total: 7 assists (multiple times)
Highest Rebounds total: 14 rebounds against Golden State Warriors (Mar 10, 1991)
A perennial standout for the Canadian national team, Wennington ranks among Canada’s most celebrated basketball players. Hailing from Montreal, he has been inducted into both the Quebec Basketball Hall of Fame and the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.
Wennington is best known for his impressive career at St. John’s and for winning three NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls between 1996 and 1998. Across his 13-year NBA career (1986-2000), he totaled over 3,300 points and 2,148 rebounds.
#1: Bob Houbregs
Team: Milwaukee Hawks, Baltimore Bullets, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons Position: Power forward / Center Year Drafted: 1953 College: Washington Highest PPG total: 24 points against New York Knicks (early 1950s) Highest Assists total: 6 assists (early 1950s) Highest Rebounds total: 15 rebounds (early 1950s) Hailing from Vancouver, Houbregs made his mark at the University of Washington. There, he was a two-time All-American and named national player of the year in 1952-53. That came after leading the Huskies to the Final Four. During that postseason, he averaged 34.8 points and set a then-NCAA Final Four record by scoring 42 points in the third-place game against LSU. Houbregs went on to play five NBA seasons (1954–58), amassing over 2,600 points and 1,500 rebounds. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. His final accolade came when inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.2025/2026 MVP Futures Betting
MVP betting is hugely popular among NBA fans, not least because the odds for draft picks can be huge. The majority (38) of MVP draft winners have been from the top 3 picks. Second-round drafts have produced MVPs and All-Stars – most recently Nikola Jokic. He was the 41st pick for the Denver Nuggets in the 2014 Draft. You’ll find some of the best MVP futures odds offered at reputable offshore sportsbooks.| Player | Odds | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | +220 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Nikola Jovic | +300 | Miami Heat |
| Luka Doncic | +450 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Cade Cunningham | +5000 | Detroit Pistons |
| Victor Wembanyama | +10000 | San Antonio Spurs |
| Tyrese Maxey | +15000 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Jalen Brunson | +20000 | New York Knicks |
| Donovan Mitchell | +25000 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Anthony Edwards | +50000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +50000 | Milwaukee Bucks |
