Happy opening night in the NBA! Another basketball season is upon us, and I’m ready for another exciting couple of months with all of its unexpected and epic moments. Of course I’ll be paying close attention to Canada’s team, the Toronto Raptors, but the next best thing to keep an eye out for throughout the season is the Canadian players in the league!
There is a new record of 27 Canadians on an opening night roster to begin the 2023-2024. That number might not seem like a lot, but it has been rapidly increasing as the Canadian basketball programs continue to develop more talented players. Three Canada ballers that I believe everyone should watch at some point this season are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins and Dillon Brooks.
A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor … #3’sPlease 👌🏾 pic.twitter.com/B1ENoSh25V
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (@shaiglalex) December 7, 2019
Do you know the last time a Canadian NBA player won the MVP? That would be Canadian legend Steve Nash, who won back-to-back MVPS almost 20 years ago. Well, we finally have another star who has a shot at this prestigious title, with Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Not enough can be said about this guy, ever since he was traded from the Clippers in the blockbuster Paul George trade, he’s continued to make big improvements to his game every year since. It’s a bonus that the Thunder might be good again in a few years time.
Year 10 pic.twitter.com/rwwu2BlJbO
— andrew wiggins (@22wiggins) October 4, 2023
Next on my radar is Golden State Warrior Andrew Wiggins. The small forward hasn’t seen “linear” improvements throughout his career, but he’s still a valuable part of his team despite being usually seen as the Warriors 4th best player behind the trio of Curry, Thompson and Green. What makes Wiggins special is his commitment to the game he loves. You might not be able to see it every time he plays, but he quietly plays a leadership role night in, night out.
Dillon Brooks declined to speak to the media after the Grizzlies Game 4 loss.
(via @espn_macmahon) pic.twitter.com/USVbZedXzS
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 25, 2023
Ok, now we have to talk about Dillon Brooks. If you’ve been following any or all of his antics over the past two seasons, you’ll know that he’s not always in the news for the right reasons. But that’s exactly what makes him an intriguing player, because he has some nights where he really shows the talent he continues to show more routinely. Brooks boldly declared himself as the “world’s best defender” before this year’s FIBA World Cup, but he backed up his talk by winning the award.
So there you have it, three uniquely talented Canadian players who are ready to help their teams in that quest for a championship. Who do you think will have the biggest impact? We will just have to watch and find out for ourselves.