The first round of March Madness officially begins on Thursday. Here are six Canadian players who averaged a minimum of 10 points this season to keep an eye on.
Will Riley
A forward from Kitchener, Ontario, Riley is a freshman, who wears number seven for the University of Illinois. This past season he was the Big Ten Sixth Man Player of the Year. Riley averaged 12.5 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 2,3 assists per game. He had a field goal percentage of .429, three point percentage of .321 and a free throw percentage of .716. The Fighting Illini are the sixth seed in the Midwest Regional, and will play Xavier in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday at 7:45 PM MT.
Kyler Filewich
A center from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Filewich is a senior, who wears number 14 for Wofford University. This past season, he led the Southern Conference in field goal percentage (.576) and rebounds per game (9.4). Filewich also averaged 11.9 points per game, 3.1 assists per game, and had a free throw percentage of .318. The Terriers are the 15th seed in the Midwest Regional and will play Tennessee in Lexington, Kentucky on Thursday at 4:50 PM MT.
Josh Omojafo
A guard from Hamilton, Ontario, Omojafo is a junior, who wears number four for Robert Morris. This past season in 33 games, he averaged 11.4 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game. Omojafo also had a field goal percentage of .442, three point percentage of .384, and a free throw percentage of .814. The Colonials are the 15th seed in the East Regional and will play Alabama in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday at 10:40 AM MT.
Aden Holloway
A dual citizen because his mother was born in Calgary, Alberta, Holloway, who wears number two, is a sophomore guard for the University of Alabama. In 33 games, he is averaging 11.4 points per game, two rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game. Holloway has a field goal percentage of .466, three point percentage of .417 and a free throw percentage of .780. He was a SEC All-Freshman in 2023-24 with Auburn. The Crimson Tide are the second seed in the East Regional, and will play Robert Morris in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday at 10:40 AM MT.
Ryan Nembhard
A guard from Aurora, Ontario, Nembhard is a senior, who wears number zero for Gonzaga University. In the regular season, he led the NCAA Division I with 9.8 assists per game. Nembhard also averaged 10.8 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, and 1.7 steals per game. He had a field goal percentage of .444, three point percentage of .393, and a free throw percentage of .765. The Bulldogs are the eighth seed in the Midwest Regional, and will play Georgia in Wichita, Kansas on Thursday at 2:35 PM MT.
Keeshawn Barthelemy
A guard from Montreal, Quebec, Barthelemy is a senior, who wears number nine for the University of Oregon. In 33 games, he is averaging 10.1 points per game, 2.6 assists per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, and 1.1 steals per game. Barthelemy has a field goal percentage of .424, three point percentage of .417, and a free throw percentage of .884. The Ducks are the fifth seed in the East Regional and will play Liberty in Seattle, Washington on Friday at 8:10 PM MT.
