Canadian basketball is in a fantastic position right now, with the men’s team impressing at the FIBA World Cup earlier this year and securing a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics in the process.
The men’s team tied down 14 players in 2022 who committed to showing up every summer through to the 2024 Olympics. There were 11 NBA players among that group, but the league now has 27 players from north of the border, with a few recent arrivals on track to be stars of tomorrow.
While there’s a long way to go until the Paris Olympics, it’s worth looking at the standout names who will carry Canada’s hopes in France. On top of that, there are a couple of sophomore talents who could force their way into the roster come summertime.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 30.4 |
| Rebounds per game | 6.1 |
| Assists per game | 6.2 |
| Steals per game | 2.3 |
| Field goal percentage | 53.4 |
| Free throw percentage | 93.7 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a fantastic time at the FIBA World Cup, following up his All-NBA honors in the 2022/23 campaign by cementing his status as a star in international play.
The guard has continued in that vein in this campaign, which has him priced at +1400 to win MVP, making him the sixth favorite for the award. He’s the shortest-priced Canadian by some distance.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard has helped his side to second place in the Western Conference standings, with an 11-5 record. His shooting continues to impress, as he’s only a small improvement away from a possible 90-50-40 season.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 16.3 |
| Rebounds per game | 2.6 |
| Assists per game | 7.4 |
| Field goal percentage | 43.0 |
| Three-point percentage | 43.0 |
| Free throw percentage | 84.2 |
Jamal Murray’s progress since winning the NBA Championship this year has been hampered by injury, and fatigue forced him to miss the summer's FIBA World Cup. He has played in seven of the Nuggets' 17 games so far.
Canada would have been an even more fearsome offense with two of the NBA’s best guards running the show.
The Denver Nuggets point guard is currently sidelined but Canadian fans hope he makes a return to the floor soon.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 13.4 |
| Rebounds per game | 3.8 |
| Assists per game | 1.9 |
| Field goal percentage | 47.1 |
| Three-point percentage | 46.4 |
| Free throw percentage | 85.7 |
Dillon Brooks is a controversial figure, with his antics leading to the Memphis Grizzlies refusing to offer him a new deal this summer.
As a free agent, he signed with the Houston Rockets before putting in some stellar displays for Canada at the World Cup.
Brooks has impressed in Houston with his three-point shooting and he’s a fantastic defender, so he’ll be a vital cog for a Canadian side which could use more physical presence on the defensive end. Love or hate his antics, he always takes at least some pressure off his team's stars.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 11.8 |
| Rebounds per game | 4.1 |
| Assists per game | 1.1 |
| Steals per game | 0.4 |
| Field goal percentage | 41.7 |
| Free throw percentage | 56.3 |
Andrew Wiggins didn’t sign up to the three-year national team commitment in 2022. However, he won a championship shortly after that.
The forward was the top pick in the 2014 draft, but he’s more at home as a support option on a good team. Wiggins’ spell on the Warriors shows he’s the perfect foil for a backcourt of SGA and Murray.
With Steph Curry on his side, it's possible he could win a second ring. But the Warriors are 10th in the West through 17 games and some of Wiggins' stats - career low averages in minutes, points, steals, assists, free throw percentage, and three-point percentage - reflect that.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 20.5 |
| Rebounds per game | 4.1 |
| Assists per game | 2.7 |
| Field goal percentage | 44.6 |
| Three-point percentage | 44.6 |
| Free throw percentage | 83.7 |
RJ Barrett adds a real punch to the Knicks’ offense and he’s an excellent bench scorer for Canada.
While he’s got a lot of competition among Canadian wings, he’s a reliable international player who is currently impressing in one of the league’s biggest markets.
Through 11 games in 2023/24, Barrett's shooting percentages - from the field, three-point range, and the free throw line - are all career highs.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 13.0 |
| Rebounds per game | 3.7 |
| Assists per game | 2.1 |
| Field goal percentage | 43.6 |
| Three-point percentage | 34.0 |
| Free throw percentage | 78.6 |
Bennedict Mathurin was the sixth pick in the 2022 draft and he was named in the All-Rookie first team in 2023.
He’s forced his way into the Pacers starting lineup, but his brilliant bench scoring last term shows his fit in the international setup.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 16.9 |
| Rebounds per game | 5.3 |
| Assists per game | 3.1 |
| Field goal percentage | 39.9 |
| Three-point percentage | 31.9 |
| Free throw percentage | 82.4 |
Shaedon Sharpe went one spot lower than Mathurin in the 2022 draft, landing at the now-rebuilding Blazers. That should give him plenty of room to grow ahead of the Olympics.
He’s moved into a starting role this season and he’s making the most of that opportunity so far.
2023/24 Season Averages
| Points per game | 10.7 |
| Rebounds per game | 3.9 |
| Assists per game | 1.1 |
| Steals per game | 1.0 |
| Field goal percentage | 45.9 |
| Three-point percentage | 42.6 |
While the man known as the Dortress has averaged less than half the amount of steals as teammate Gilgeous-Alexander, he's a key reason why the Thunder have the seventh-best defensive rating in the league.
The fact he's shooting career-high percentages from the field and from three should encourage Canada fans even more.
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bet365 News Team
Oct 25 2023
