Top 10 Canadians in NBA this season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (All Pro Reels, Wikimedia Commons)

The 2024-25 National Basketball Association commences on Tuesday. Here are 10 Canadians (in alphabetical order of their last name) who are either projected to be in the starting lineup of their respective teams this season or averaged a minimum of 10 points per game last season.

Dalano Banton–The point guard from Toronto, Ontario is with the Portland Trail Blazers. Last season he shared his time with the Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics, and averaged career highs in points per game (10.3), rebounds per game (3.3), and assists per game (2.4), with a field goal percentage .404, three point percentage of .296 (career high), and free throw percentage of .783 (career high). Banton played his first two NBA seasons (2021 to 2023) with the Raptors.

R.J. Barrett–The shooting guard from Toronto shared his time last season with the New York Knicks, and the Raptors, his current team. In 2023-24, Barrett averaged a career high 20.2 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, and 3.3 assists per game (career high), with a field goal percentage of .495 (career high), three-point percentage of .360 and free throw percentage of .715.

Dillon Brooks– The small forward from Mississauga, Ontario is about to join his second season with the Houston Rockets after six seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies. In 2023-24, Brooks averaged 12.7 points per game, a career-high 3.4 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game, along with a field goal percentage of .428, three point percentage of .359, and free throw percentage of .844.

Luguentz Dort–The small forward from Montreal, Quebec is in his sixth season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2023-24, Dort averaged 10.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of .438 (career high), three point percentage of .394 (career high), and free throw percentage of .826.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander–The point guard from Toronto is in his sixth season with the Thunder after a rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers. An all-star for the second time in 2023-24, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30.1 points per game, with career-highs in assists per game (6.2), steals per game (two), and field goal percentage (.535). He also had 5.5 rebounds per game, a free throw percentage of .874, and three point percentage of .353.

Bennedict Mathurin–The small forward from Montreal is in his third season with the Indiana Pacers. Last season he averaged 14.5 points per game, and had career-highs in assists per game (two), field goal percentage (.446), and three point percentage (.374). Mathurin also averaged four rebounds per game, and had a free throw percentage of .821.

Jamal Murray–The guard from Kitchener, Ontario is in his eighth season with the Denver Nuggets. Last season he tied a career-high in points per game (21.2), and had career-highs in assists per game (6.5), field goal percentage (.481), and three-point percentage (.425). Murray also had 4.1 rebounds per game, one steal per game, and a free throw percentage of .853.

Andrew Nembhard–The guard from Aurora, Ontario is in his third season with the Pacers. Last season he had 9.2 points per game, 4.1 assists per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, and career highs in field goal percentage (.498), three point percentage (.357), and free throw percentage (.804).

Shaedon Sharpe–The shooting guard from London, Ontario is in his third season with the Trail Blazers. Last season he had career highs in points per game (15.9), rebounds per game (five), assists per game (2.9), and free throw percentage (.824). Sharpe also had a field goal percentage of ,406 and a three point percentage of .333. He currently has a torn muscle in his shoulder however, and is expected to miss the start of the regular season.

Andrew Wiggins–The small forward from Toronto is heading into his sixth season with the Warriors after six seasons in Minnesota. In 2023-24, he averaged 13.2 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game, along with a field goal percentage of .453, three point percentage of .358, and a free throw percentage of .751.

 

Written by