The 2023 National Basketball Association Draft took place on Thursday from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It was a memorable night for two Canadians, who were not only drafted, but traded as well.
First was small forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper of Montreal, Quebec, who was initially selected 24th overall by the Sacramento Kings out of Marquette University. He was then subsequently traded from the Kings to the Dallas Mavericks in a trade that will be finalized at a later date.
This past season for the Marquette Golden Eagles, Maxence-Prosper averaged 12.5 points per game, and 4.7 rebounds per game. He had a field goal percentage of .512, three-point percentage of .339, and a free throw percentage of .735. During his National Collegiate Athletic Association career, Maxence-Prosper spent his freshman season at Clemson, before two more seasons at Marquette.
Second was small forward Leonard Miller of Scarborough, Ontario, who was initially selected in the second round, 33rd overall, by the San Antonio Spurs. Like Maxence-Prosper, Miller was then traded. This time Miller was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In return, the Spurs received second round picks in 2026 and 2028. In 2022-23, he averaged a double-double for the G League Ignite. Miller, who did not go the NCAA route, had 18 points per game and 11 rebounds per game. He also had 1.6 assists per game, a field goal percentage of .554, three-point percentage of .327, and a free throw percentage of .792.
