Keeping up with the Canadians: April Edition

We’re now three months into the 2020/21 NBA season and fans have certainly seen their fair share of on-court excitement. A new league villain was anointed when the Brooklyn Nets assembled an absolutely loaded team of past and current all-star players. The annual MVP race seems to have some parity again, with a number of elite superstars making a strong case to take home the trophy. And the league has welcomed a new class of young talent eager to showcase the NBA’s bright future.

Fortunately for us Canadian basketball fans, when talking about young NBA talent you can’t ignore the recent influx of players who were born in the Great White North. The record 17 Canadian players who hold spots on NBA rosters is the most in league history (that includes everything from seasoned veterans to young rising stars). In fact, Canadians made up half of the players selected to the NBA World Rising Stars roster.

With the FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament being mere weeks away, Team Canada is looking set to make their strongest push for a medal yet. Below we highlight seven players and their on-court performance halfway through this NBA season, each of whom have the potential to help Team Canada reach their ultimate goal—Gold at the Olympics.

Jamal Murray

Position: Guard
Season Stat Line: 21 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game
Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario
Recent Highlights: Throughout the month of February, Murray notched nearly 26 points and 5 rebounds per game. He also had a strong game in a win against the 76ers on March 30th with 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Playoff Odds: As of April 7th, the Denver Nuggets hold the 4th seed in the Western Conference with a 99% chance to make the playoffs.

Dillon Brooks

Position: Small Forward/Shooting Guard
Season Stat Line: 16 points, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and, 3.0 rebounds per game
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario
Recent Highlights: On March 22nd, Brooks had a 24 point, 7 assist, 7 rebound game followed by a 25 point game. Both games resulted in wins for the Grizzlies.
Playoff Odds: As of April 7th, the Memphis Grizzlies hold the 8th seed in the West with a 15.8% chance to make the playoffs.

RJ Barrett

Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Season Stat Line: 17.3 points, 3.0 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Recent Highlights: Throughout the month of March, Barrett has upped his scoring to 20.2 points per game, compared to the 14.1 points per game he averaged in February.
Playoff Odds: As of April 7th, the New York Knicks hold the 7th seed in the East with a 20.5% chance to make the playoffs.

Kelly Olynyk

Position: Power Forward/Centre
Season Stat Line: 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
Recent Highlights: In his first 6 games with the Houston Rockets, Olynyk has averaged 18.7 points (61.9% from the field) 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game, and will be an important veteran presence for their young rebuilding team.
Playoff Odds: As of April 7th, the Houston Rockets hold the 14th seed in the West with a 0.1% chance to make the playoffs.

Andrew Wiggins

Position: Small Forward/Shooting Guard
Season Stat Line: 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 2.3 assists per game
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Recent Highlights: On March 19th, Wiggins had a season high 40 points—including draining six 3-pointers—in a win against the Grizzlies.
Playoff Odds: As of April 7th, the Golden State Warriors hold the 10th seed in the West with a 47.2% chance to make the playoffs.

Chris Boucher

Position: Power Forward/Centre
Season Stat Line: 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Recent Highlights: Although the Raptors have struggled this season, Boucher had strong performances in March averaging 14 points and just under 2 blocks per game.
Playoff Odds: As of April 7th, the Toronto Raptors hold 11th the seed in the West with a 37.2% chance to make the playoffs.

Honourable Mention: Shai Gilgeous- Alexander

Position: Shooting Guard
Season State Line: 23.7 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game
Hometown: Shooting Guard
Recent Lowlight: Unfortunately, Shai suffered a right foot injury (plantar fasciitis) and will have to sit out for an extended period. Prior to the injury he was playing the best basketball of his young career, averaging over 25 points and 6 assists per game in February. Right now it is unclear whether he would be available to play for Team Canada at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Playoff Odds: As of April 7th, the OKC Thunder hold 13th the seed in the West with a 0.1% chance to make the playoffs