Despite a disappointing end for the Canadian men’s basketball team at the Olympics in France, Canada is entering the golden era of its basketball program. The men’s team earned their first medal at the World Cup in 2023. Canadians have made their presence known in the NBA, and a record number of Canadians are in the league today. With this influx of new players, it is time to look back at all Canadians who have come before and see who the five greatest Canadian NBA players of all-time are. The list is based solely on their NBA achievements.
Top Five Canadian NBA Players of All Time
The Canadian GOAT
There is zero question or debate about who the greatest Canadian NBA player is. Steve Nash is in a tier of his own compared to his countrymen. Nash is the only Canadian to earn MVP honors and has more All-Star and All-NBA selections than all other Canadians combined. During his NBA tenure, Nash led multiple top-ten offensive teams of all time in a ruthless Western Conference. Though Nash never broke through to the finals, he led the Suns to multiple conference finals. Following the 2013-14 season, Nash retried after 18 years in the league, finishing his career top three all-time in assists. He is one of the most efficient players in league history with multiple 50/40/90 seasons. Nash is one of just two Canadians in the NBA Hall of Fame, the other being Bob Houbregs.
A Challenger to Nash’s Legacy
Since Nash, no Canadians have reached even close to his level until Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is the only other Canadian to be named to an All-NBA team and multiple All-Star teams. This past season, SGA finished second in MVP voting and solidified himself as a top-five player in the league. Gilgeous-Alexander will be 26 years old next season and is poised to compete for championships for years with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Last season, he led the young Thunder to the second round of the playoffs, averaging 30 points per game. SGA joined Nash as the only Canadians to lead their team to the postseason as the “guy.” With him just entering his prime, Gilgeous-Alexander has years to build his legacy in the NBA that could rival Nash’s once all is said and done.
The Perfect Glue Guy
Rick Fox is like the Canadian Robert Horry, not an All-Star but a guy who knows how to win. Fox did a lot of winning at the highest level in the NBA, three-peating with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-2002. Like his teammate Horry, Fox was a key rotation piece for the Lakers, even starting for the entire 2001 and 2002 postseason runs. Fox started his NBA career in Boston, becoming the first rookie since Larry Bird to start on opening night. His rookie season performance earned him All-Rookie team honors in 1991-92. Fox retired in 2004 after 13 years as a high-level role player in the league.
All-Time Playoff Raiser
Jamal Murray is one of the most interesting players in NBA history and one of the best Canadian players ever. In 2023, Murray helped lead the Nuggets to their first-ever title while putting up elite numbers. In the 2020 bubble postseason, Murray helped the Nuggets overcome two different 3-1 series holes and played out of his mind. Murray is one of the greatest playoff raisers ever and has earned that title. However, in the regular season, Murray hasn’t been the same type of elite performer, never making an All-Star team. Murray will need more personal accolades to climb up into the top two, but with the Nuggets title widow open, he could lock in that third spot with another ring.
Maple Jordan?
Andrew Wiggins is the second Canadian to be selected first overall, having been picked first by the Cavaliers in 2014. Coming into the league, Wiggins was surrounded by hype, even earning the Maple Jordan nickname. Wiggins had a great rookie campaign, being named the Rookie of the Year. Following that, Wiggins struggled to live up to the hype around him before being traded to the Warriors. Wiggins turned a new leaf with the Warriors, earning his first and only All-Star selection in 2021-22. That year, Wiggins was instrumental in helping the Warriors win their fourth ring of the Stephen Curry era. Wiggins is still under 30 and has years to catch Murray for the fourth spot, but he finds himself fifth for now.
