Canadian basketball has a rich history and has produced some of the greatest basketball players in the world. From dominant centres to prolific scorers and flashy playmakers, Canada has produced a remarkable crop of talent over the years.
These are players that fans and sports bettors alike have benefited from, whether it be for the love of the game or the love of gambling. Some on this list can still make their fans some good money through bookmakers, whether through an online free bet or going into a sports betting platform and placing a real-money bet.
That is the joy of sports—it is twofold, and you can combine the thrill of the game with the thrill of winning some significant cash. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the greatest Canadian basketball players in history.
Steve Nash
Nash is widely regarded as one of the best point guards of all time. He was born in South Africa but grew up in British Columbia and went on to become one of the most successful Canadian basketball players of all time.
Nash played in the NBA for 18 seasons, winning two MVP awards and making eight All-Star appearances. He also played for the Canadian national team and helped lead them to the quarterfinals of the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Jamaal Magloire
Magloire was born in Toronto and went on to have a successful 12-year NBA career. He was a dominant centre who was known for his physicality and shot-blocking ability. Magloire was named to the All-Star team in 2004 and helped the Wildcats win the 1998 national title, solidifying his place in Kentucky basketball history.
Rick Fox
Fox was born in Toronto and played in the NBA for 13 seasons. He was a versatile forward who was known for his athleticism and shooting ability. Fox won three NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and has also played with the Boston Celtics. He also represented Canada twice at the FIBA World Championships in 1990 and 1994. A clear overachiever, he has also had a very successful career as an actor.
Tristan Thompson
Thompson is a current NBA player who was born in Toronto. He is widely regarded as one of the best rebounders in the league and has won two NBA championships with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thompson missed 26 games of the 2019–20 basketball season because of a foot injury. However, on January 9, 2020, in a 115–112 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons, Thompson had a career-high 35 points, 3 assists, 14 rebounds, a steal, and three blocks as part of a double-double.
Samuel Dalembert
Dalembert was born in Haiti but grew up in Montreal and went on to have a successful NBA career. He was a dominant shot-blocker and rebounder and played for several teams during his career, including the Philadelphia 76ers and the Houston Rockets.
Dalembert also represented Haiti at several international competitions. A notable scandal is that Dalembert was fired from the team during the 2008 World Olympic Qualifying Tournament due to a falling out with his coach, Leo Rautins.
Andrew Wiggins
Although he is still playing, Andrew Wiggins has already established himself as one of the greats when it comes to the NBA. He was chosen first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 NBA Draft, becoming just the second player in the country’s history to do so.
Wiggins has a good possibility of surpassing all previous Canadian NBA players in terms of talent. Although he has not yet won a championship, he was named Rookie of the Year in 2015 and is the first Canadian to average 20+ points in a season.
Robert Sacre
Sacre was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but grew up in North Vancouver and went on to play in the NBA for several seasons. He was known for his size and athleticism and played for several teams during his career, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Sacre participated in a number of competitions for the Canadian junior squad. At the 2006 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, he led the Canadians to a fourth-place finish with an average of 9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. Sacre was asked to join the senior national team for the first time so he could play in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. He also participated in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.
