4 best Canadian players in NBA right now feat. Jamal Murray
Canada continues to churn out NBA talent, boasting multiple stars and numerous quality role players, with several prospects in the pipeline.
Per CBC, Canada began this past NBA season with 27 players rostered, the country's record. That reportedly marked the 10th consecutive season Canada was the league's most represented country outside the United States.
A similar number of Canadians are projected to be rostered come the start of the 2024-25 season on Oct. 22. Ahead of the campaign, here are the four best active Canadian players.
Top 4 active Canadian NBA players
#4. Dillon Brooks
Despite being hated by many, Houston Rockets wing Dillon Brooks has garnered a reputation as one of the NBA's peskiest wing defenders.
While Brooks' offensive game can be sporadic, he remains a respectable outside shooting threat. His 3-and-D ability earned him a four-year, $86 million contract from Houston last offseason, with him later providing serviceable two-way production as a starter.
Over 72 games, Brooks averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.8 3-pointers per game, shooting 42.8% and 35.9% from deep.
#3. RJ Barrett
Upon being traded from the New York Knicks to his hometown Toronto Raptors in late December, RJ Barrett broke out offensively. The 2019 No. 3 pick thrived in Toronto's movement-based offense, regularly getting to the rim for easy finishes and vastly improving his overall shot selection.
Barrett quickly established himself as one of the Raptors' key young core members alongside star forward Scottie Barnes and point guard Immanuel Quickley.
Over 32 contests, he averaged 21.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.1 apg, 0.6 spg and 1.5 3pg, shooting 55.3% and 39.2% from 3. Barrett followed that up by being Canada's second-leading scorer (19.8 ppg) across four appearances at this summer's Paris Olympics.
#2. Jamal Murray
Denver Nuggets star point guard Jamal Murray had a rough summer with Team Canada, averaging only 6.0 ppg on 29.0% shooting across four Olympic outings. Nevertheless, he remains a proven NBA championship-caliber No. 2 scoring option.
After serving as superstar center Nikola Jokic's right-hand man during Denver's 2023 title run, Murray delivered another strong scoring and playmaking season.
Over 59 games, he averaged 21.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.0 spg and 2.5 3pg, shooting 48.1% and 42.5% from deep.
So, assuming he's fully healthy, Murray should be primed to redeem himself following his lackluster Olympic performance.
#1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The clear-cut best Canadian player, OKC Thunder superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off his second straight MVP-caliber season. He finished second in this year's MVP voting, leading OKC to the Western Conference's No. 1 seed (57-25).
In addition to being one of the NBA's craftiest scorers, Gilgeous-Alexander is arguably the league's premier two-way guard.
Over 75 contests, he averaged 30.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.0 spg and 1.3 3pg, shooting 53.5% and 35.3% from deep. The two-time All-Star followed that up by leading Canada in scoring at the Paris Olympics (21.0 ppg across four appearances).
So, at 26 years old, Gilgeous-Alexander should be the face of Canadian basketball for the foreseeable future.
Also Read: "He doesn't look healthy or explosive" - ESPN insider advises against Jamal Murray extension after Nuggets star's dismal Olympic campaign