Despite a disappointing finish for the Canadian national basketball team at the Olympic Games in France, Canada is entering the golden era of its basketball program. The men’s team won its first medal at the 2023 World Championship. Canadians have proven their presence in the NBA, and today there are a record number of Canadians in the league. With this influx of new players, it’s time to look back at all the Canadians who came before them and see who the five greatest Canadian NBA players of all time are. The list is based solely on their NBA accomplishments.
The five best Canadian NBA players of all time
The Canadian GOAT
There is no question or debate as to who the best Canadian NBA player is. Steve Nash is in a league of his own compared to his countrymen. Nash is the only Canadian to be voted MVP and has been voted All-Star and All-NBA more times than all other Canadians combined. During his NBA tenure, Nash led several all-time top-10 offensive teams in the unforgiving Western Conference. Although Nash never made the Finals, he led the Suns to several Conference Finals. Following the 2013–14 season, Nash returned after 18 years in the league and finished his career in the 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 only two Canadians in the NBA Hall of Fame, the other being Bob Houbregs.
A challenger to Nash’s legacy
Since Nash, no Canadian has come 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. Last season, SGA finished second in MVP voting and established himself among the league’s top five players. Gilgeous-Alexander will be 26 next season and is expected to compete for championships with the Oklahoma City Thunder for years. Last season, he led the young Thunder to the second round of the playoffs, averaging 30 points per game. SGA is the only Canadian other than Nash to have led his team to the playoffs as a “man.” As he is just entering his prime, Gilgeous-Alexander still has years to build a legacy in the NBA that could ultimately rival Nash’s.
The perfect glue type
Rick Fox is like Canadian Robert Horry, not an All-Star, but a guy who knows how to win. Fox has had plenty of victories at the highest level in the NBA, winning three straight with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-2002. Like his teammate Horry, Fox was a key rotation player for the Lakers, even starting the entire 2001 and 2002 postseasons. Fox began his NBA career in Boston and was 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 senior role player in the league.
Best playoff bidder of all time
Jamal Murray is one of the most interesting players in NBA history and one of the best Canadian players of all time. In 2023, Murray helped the Nuggets win their first-ever title and put up outstanding numbers along the way. In the 2020 bubble postseason, Murray helped the Nuggets overcome two different 3-1 series deficits and played outstandingly. Murray is one of the best playoff winners of all time and earned that title. However, Murray was not the same elite player in the regular season and never made an All-Star team. Murray will need more personal accolades to break into the top two, but with the Nuggets’ title widow open, he could secure the third spot with another ring.
Maple Jordan?
Andrew Wiggins is the second Canadian to be selected first. In 2014, he was selected first by the Cavaliers. When he came into the league, Wiggins was surrounded by a lot of hype and was even nicknamed Maple Jordan. Wiggins had a great rookie season and was named Rookie of the Year. After that, Wiggins struggled to live up to the hype surrounding him before being traded to the Warriors. Wiggins started a new chapter with the Warriors and earned his first and only All-Star selection in 2021-22. This year, Wiggins was instrumental in helping the Warriors win their fourth ring of the Stephen Curry era. Still under 30, Wiggins still has years to catch Murray for the fourth spot, but for now, he’s fifth.
