Top 5 Canadian NBA Players in 2025 and Their Impact on the League
Calendar icon Updated 06 Oct 16:36

Top 5 Canadian NBA Players in 2025 and Their Impact on the League

Giorgi Natsvlishvili

The Great White North has arrived, and it’s not leaving anytime soon, with Canadian players coming up all the time.

For 11 consecutive seasons, Canada has been the most represented international country in the NBA, and in 2025, that dominance is more visible than ever. With 24 Canadians currently on NBA rosters and a record 170 Canadian players competing in NCAA men’s basketball, the pipeline shows no signs of slowing down. 

What was once a novelty has become an expectation, with maple leaf flags waving proudly across NBA arenas, and the players wearing them are reshaping the league’s landscape.

This isn’t just about numbers on a roster sheet. Canadian players are leading MVP races, winning championships, and fundamentally changing how the game is played. They’re bringing a unique blend of skill, toughness, and basketball IQ that’s forcing scouts to take notice of every high school gym north of the border. 

Here are five Canadian players making the biggest impact on the NBA in 2025.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – The New Standard

If you’re looking for the face of Canadian basketball in 2025, look no further than Toronto-born Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar isn’t just the best Canadian player in the NBA; he’s arguably one of the five best players in the world, period.

Leading the league in scoring as of April 2025, SGA is averaging 32 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game while transforming the Thunder into legitimate championship contenders. His three consecutive seasons averaging over 30 points per game and three All-NBA First Team selections have established a new benchmark for Canadian basketball.

What separates Gilgeous-Alexander from other elite scorers is his mastery of the game’s nuances. He controls tempo, blends elite mid-range shooting with powerful finishing at the rim, and does all the little things right. His defensive prowess is equally impressive, making him one of the most well-rounded players in the league. 

The humble superstar may still defer to Steve Nash when discussing Canada’s all-time greatest player, but the conversation is shifting. SGA isn’t chasing legacy; he’s building one in real time, game by game, possession by possession.

2. Jamal Murray – Clutch Gene Personified

Championships change everything, and Jamal Murray has the hardware that separates good players from legends.

The Kitchener, Ontario native has established himself as one of the NBA’s most dangerous postseason performers. After overcoming an ACL injury that sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 season, Murray helped the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever championship in 2023, delivering scoring outbursts and clutch performances that have become his trademark.

Despite his ability to fill the basket and provide highlight reel-worthy games, Murray has been consistently overlooked for All-Star selections and All-NBA Teams. He may go down as one of the best players to never earn those individual honours, but hey, at least he has a ring. 

When the pressure intensifies and the lights burn brightest, Murray elevates. His playoff performances aren’t just impressive; they’re the stuff of NBA lore.

For a player averaging 17.7 points per game over his career, Murray’s impact is much bigger than statistics.

3. RJ Barrett – Coming Home to Stardom

Sometimes, the best career moves involve going home. For RJ Barrett, returning to Toronto has unlocked a version of himself that was always lurking beneath the surface.

In the 2024-25 season, Barrett is averaging 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field – career-best numbers across the board. 

After being traded from the New York Knicks to his hometown Raptors in December 2023, Barrett has stepped into the role Toronto envisioned when he was selected third overall in 2019.

Barrett grabbed his first career triple-double in November 2024 with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 15 assists, showcasing the playmaking growth that’s made him indispensable to Toronto’s rebuild. 

His ability to attack the basket, defend multiple positions, and facilitate for teammates makes him one of the most complete young players in the league.

What some NBA insiders once labelled a “toxic asset” has become a cornerstone piece for Canada’s only NBA franchise.

4. Andrew Wiggins – Redemption and Reinvention

The “Maple Jordan” moniker may have been premature when Andrew Wiggins was drafted first overall in 2014, but his career arc tells a story about perseverance and finding the right fit.

After six years of unfulfilled expectations with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wiggins discovered his true value with the Golden State Warriors. He became an essential part of their championship-winning squad in 2022, earning his first All-Star selection and proving that elite two-way play matters more than raw scoring volume.

Recently traded to the Miami Heat, Wiggins is averaging 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in the 2024-25 season. His defensive versatility makes him invaluable in today’s switch-heavy schemes. 

Moreover, in April 2021, Wiggins became the first NBA player born in Canada to reach 10,000 career points, a milestone that cements his place among Canadian basketball royalty.

5. Dillon Brooks – The Enforcer

Every great basketball nation needs a villain, and Dillon Brooks has embraced that role with open arms.

The Mississauga native isn’t on this list because of gaudy statistics. Brooks averages 14.1 points per game and is shooting a career-high 38% from three-point range this season with the Houston Rockets. His value comes from something far more valuable: he’s the player every championship team want but opposing fans love to hate.

Known more for his nasty side and gritty defence, Brooks combines a fearless attitude with the kind of defensive tenacity that changes games. He’s the ultimate role player, someone who understands his value isn’t found in highlight reels but in winning plays, tough matchups, and veteran leadership. Brooks is helping the Rockets return to the playoffs after a four-year absence, proving that toughness never goes out of style.

His willingness to antagonize opponents (remember his 2023-24 battles with LeBron James?) makes him polarizing, but there’s no denying his impact. Championships aren’t won by five superstars – they’re won by complementary pieces.

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