Current NBA Players from the Country of Canada (2023-2024)
Basketball players, and indeed competitors across all athletic fields, carry a badge of honor for their birthplaces. It could be their home state, the neighborhood they grew up in, or the area code they associate with; there’s always a noticeable desire to represent one’s beginnings.
The same holds true for the fan base. There’s an added thrill in supporting a player who shares the same local stomping grounds, especially when that athlete plays for the team you root for above all others.
Bearing this in mind, we scoured through NBA.com to extract the home states or, in some instances, the home countries of every player listed on the active rosters of each team.
Our findings included 23 players originating from the country of Canada.
NBA Players from Canada
Below is a list of all 23 players on NBA rosters at the commencement of the 2023 season, detailing their hometowns and the respective teams they represent.
| Name | City | State | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshae Brissett | Toronto | Canada | Boston Celtics |
| Bennedict Mathurin | Montreal | Canada | Indiana Pacers |
| Lindell Wigginton | Halifax | Canada | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Caleb Houstan | Mississauga | Canada | Orlando Magic |
| Jamal Murray | Kitchener | Canada | Denver Nuggets |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Toronto | Canada | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Leonard Miller | Scarborough | Canada | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Toronto | Canada | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Luguentz Dort | Montreal | Canada | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Andrew Wiggins | Toronto | Canada | Golden State Warriors |
| Chris Duarte | Montreal | Canada | Sacramento Kings |
| Trey Lyles | Saskatoon | Canada | Sacramento Kings |
| A.J. Lawson | Toronto | Canada | Dallas Mavericks |
| Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Montreal | Canada | Dallas Mavericks |
| Dillon Brooks | Mississauga | Canada | Houston Rockets |
| Brandon Clarke | Vancouver | Canada | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Andrew Nembhard | Aurora | Canada | Indiana Pacers |
| Shaedon Sharpe | London | Canada | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Kelly Olynyk | Toronto | Canada | Utah Jazz |
| Cory Joseph | Toronto | Canada | Golden State Warriors |
| Joshua Primo | Toronto | Canada | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Dwight Powell | Toronto | Canada | Dallas Mavericks |
| Charles Bediako | Brampton | Canada | San Antonio Spurs |
| Dalano Banton | Toronto | Canada | Boston Celtics |
| RJ Barrett | Toronto | Canada | New York Knicks |
| Tristan Thompson | Brampton | Canada | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Player Bios
Here is a little more info on a few of the standout players from Canada:
Andrew Wiggins
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Andrew Wiggins, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has become a prominent forward in the NBA. Wiggins’ basketball journey started at Vaughan Secondary School in Ontario and continued in the United States at Huntington Prep School in West Virginia.
He played college basketball at the University of Kansas before being selected as the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Known for his athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive skills, Wiggins has been a key player for teams like the Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors. He played a significant role in the Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship run, showcasing his all-around impact on both ends of the court.
RJ Barrett
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
RJ Barrett, hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has emerged as a talented guard/forward in the NBA. Barrett’s basketball career began at St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Mississauga and continued at Montverde Academy in Florida.
He played college basketball at Duke University and was selected with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Barrett is known for his scoring prowess, rebounding ability, and improving playmaking skills.
As a key player for the Knicks, he has shown the potential to be a leading scorer and a central figure in the team’s future plans.
Tristan Thompson
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tristan Thompson, also from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has established himself as a reliable center/power forward in the NBA. Thompson played high school basketball at St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, and Findlay Prep in Nevada.
He then played college basketball at the University of Texas before being selected 4th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Known for his rebounding, interior defense, and hustle plays, Thompson was a key component of the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA championship team.
His ability to impact games with his energy and effort on the boards has made him a valuable contributor for teams like the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Sacramento Kings.
Conclusion
From the driveways of small-town Canada to the gleaming hardwood of NBA arenas, these players carry with them a piece of their home country, a testament to the talent and determination that Canada instills in its athletes.
Whether they are rookies making their debut or seasoned veterans known by every fan, the pride of Canada continues to shine on the national stage. To the fans back home, these players are more than just athletes; they are local heroes, each with a story that resonates with the dreams of young ballers across the country.
As the season unfolds, we will watch their stories develop further, cheering for not only the skills they display but also the communities they represent. The spirit of Canada basketball is alive and well in the NBA, and perhaps, in the cheers of the crowd, the players can hear a little bit of home calling back to them.
