Two Canadians were selected and then traded in the 2018 NBA Draft from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Thursday. Point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton, Ontario was drafted in the first round, 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Power forward Justin Jackson of Toronto, Ontario was drafted in the second round, 43rd overall by the Denver Nuggets and then traded to the Orlando Magic.
Gilgeous-Alexander played last year for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. In 37 games, he averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds. The Wildcats had a rather disappointing NCAA Tournament as they were upset 61-58 to Kansas State in the sweet 16.
Jackson played last year for the University of Maryland Terrapins. In 11 games, he averaged 9.8 points and 8.1 rebounds. Jackson missed the majority of the season because of a shoulder injury.
Gilgeous-Alexander was traded from the Hornets to the Clippers for the rights to Miles Bridges and two second round draft picks. Jackson was traded from the Nuggets to the Magic for Jarred Vanderbilt. Like Gilgeous-Alexander, Vanderbilt was a freshman for Kentucky last season.
The Raptors meanwhile had no picks in the 2018 NBA Draft. They lost the picks when they acquired Justin Hamilton from the Brooklyn Nets and P.J. Tucker from the Phoenix Suns.
