JOEL ANTHONY

Detroit Pistons

#50 | C| 8 NBA Seasons

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Seasons with Team Canada: 9

Height: 6-9

Weight: 245 lbs

Joel Anthony was an important veteran for the young Detroit Pistons this season. The two-time NBA Champion has been looked at as a savvy defender and mentor throughout the year while averaging 7.8 minutes per game with 1.7 PPG, 1.8 RPG and 1.0 BPG. Unfortunately, Joel and the Pistons are not quite ready to take the next step into the NBA Playoffs this year.

ANTHONY BENNETT

Minnesota Timberwolves

#24|F |2 NBA Seasons

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 6

Height: 6-8

Weight: 245 lbs

The first-ever #1 Canadian draft pick had a solid bounce-back season after a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Teaming up with fellow Canadian and #1 overall pick, Andrew Wiggins, gave Anthony more confidence as he averaged 5.1 PPG and 3.8 RPG in 15.8 minutes per game. Anthony and the athletic Timberwolves missed out on the playoffs this year, but the future looks bright in the North Star state.  

SIM BHULLAR

Sacramento Kings (Reno Bighorns)

#32|C |1 NBA Season

Hometown: North York, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 4

Height: 7-5

Weight: 355 lbs

The North York native, Sim Bhullar has had a ground-breaking year with the Reno Bighorns and Sacramento Kings. Sim made history this season as he became the first active player of Indian descent in NBA history – signing a 10-day contract with Sacramento on April 2. While he was with the Kings’ D-League affiliate, Reno Bighorns, Sim progressively improved with every game and averaged a monstrous stat line of 10.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 3.8 BPG through 38 games. Sim will look to become an NBA mainstay next season as the Kings will not make the playoffs this season.

TYLER ENNIS

Milwaukee Bucks

#11|G |1 NBA Season

Hometown: Brampton, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 3

Height: 6-2

Weight: 180 lbs

Tyler Ennis had quite the journey as an NBA Rookie this past season. After being drafted by the Phoenix Suns, Tyler spent some time in between the NBA and Suns’ D-League affiliate – Bakersfield Jam. At the trade deadline, Tyler was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks where he has found a solidified home in the NBA. In the D-League, Tyler dominated by averaging 18.4 PPG to go along with 5.3 APG, 4.3 RPG and 1.8 SPG through nine games. In the NBA Tyler has managed to score 3.9 PPG together with 2.2 APG and 1.1 RPG in 13 minutes per game. The Milwaukee Bucks have made the playoffs as a 6-seed and will play the Bulls in the first round.

CORY JOSEPH

San Antonio Spurs

#5|G |4 NBA Seasons

Hometown: Pickering, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 6

Height: 6-3

Weight: 185 lbs

Cory has been an integral piece to the Spurs as they continue their quest to repeat as NBA Champions. All season Cory has been playing his role and stepping up in key situations for the team. After winning his first Championship ring, Cory has found new confidence and has managed to execute career-high numbers of 6.8 PPG, 2.3 APG and 2.3 RPG in 18.4 minutes per contest. Now a veteran, Cory will make his fourth-consecutive playoff appearance with the Spurs as a 6-seed in the Western Conference – playing the Clippers in the first round.

ANDREW NICHOLSON

Orlando Magic

#44|F |3 NBA Seasons

Hometown: Mississauga, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 2

Height: 6-9

Weight: 250 lbs

This season, Andrew Nicholson grew as a player with the up-and-coming Orlando Magic. This year, Andrew averaged 5.0 PPG and 1.8 RPG in 11.6 minutes per game. His hard work throughout the year paid off as he solidified himself as a consistent starter for the Magic later on in the season as well. Andrew and the Magic still have room to grow as they will not be heading to the playoffs this season.

KELLY OLYNYK

Boston Celtics

#41|C|2 NBA Seasons

Hometown: Kamloops, BC

Seasons with Team Canada: 6

Height: 7-0

Weight: 238 lbs

After a promising Rookie year, Kelly Olynyk continued to play well in his sophomore season. Throughout the year, Kelly has shown his toughness by playing through injuries and becoming a key component to the Celtics playoff run. Kelly was selected to the Rising Stars Game this year as he averaged 10.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 1.0 SPG throughout the season. His Celtics have fought their way to a 7-seed in the NBA playoffs in the Eastern Conference and will go up against the Cavaliers. This will be Kelly’s first-ever playoff appearance.

DWIGHT POWELL

Dallas Mavericks

#8|F |1 NBA Season

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 1

Height: 6-11

Weight: 240 lbs

Dwight Powell had one of the most tumultuous seasons an NBA Rookie has ever had. Initially drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, Dwight was traded three times – first to Cleveland, then to Boston, before finally landing in Dallas. He has spent time between the D-League and NBA with all three teams as well. In the D-League, Dwight solidified himself as a formidable player by averaging 26.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG and 2.7 APG to go along with 1 block per contest. In the NBA, he has played selective minutes (8 minutes per game) while averaging 3.1 PPG and 1.7 RPG with a 50% field goal percentage. The Mavericks are heading to the playoffs in Dwight’s Rookie season as the 7-seed in the Western Conference and they are set to face the Rockets.

ROBERT SACRE

Los Angeles Lakers

#50|C|3 NBA Seasons

Hometown: North Vancouver, BC

Seasons with Team Canada: 9

Height: 7-0

Weight: 260 lbs

Robert Sacre has come a long way since being drafted as the last pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. This season he had a career-best year with the Lakers as he became a constant starter and polished leader for the young Lakers team. Throughout the season, Robert made his presence felt by averaging 4.4 PPG to go along with 3.3 RPG. The Lakers did not make the playoffs this season, but Robert will look to build off his momentum and have an even better year next season.

NIK STAUSKAS

Sacramento Kings

#10|G |1 NBA Season

Hometown: Mississauga, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 5

Height: 6-6

Weight: 205 lbs

Mississauga’s sharpshooter had a decent season as an NBA Rookie. The 8th overall pick showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season as he was finding his role with the rising Kings. Throughout the season, Nik averaged 4.3 PPG together with 1.1 RPG and an 88% free-throw percentage. The Kings did not make the playoffs, but Nik will take this season in stride as he looks to solidify himself as an elite shooter in the NBA.

TRISTAN THOMPSON

Cleveland Cavaliers

#13|C|4 NBA Seasons

Hometown: Brampton, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 6

Height: 6-9

Weight: 238 lbs

Tristan Thompson had a solid season for the Cavaliers this year. On a team with three All-Stars, Tristan found his role on the squad very quickly and maximized his output throughout the year. He averaged 8.5 PPG and 4.0 RPG to go along with a 55% field goal percentage for the Cavaliers. This season, Tristan will make his first playoff appearance as the Cavaliers earned the 2-seed in the Eastern Conference and a matchup with the Celtics.

ANDREW WIGGINS

Minnesota Timberwolves

#22|G/F |1 NBA Season

Hometown: Vaughan, ON

Seasons with Team Canada: 4

Height: 6-7

Weight: 199 lbs

Vaughan native, Andrew Wiggins had a stellar Rookie season in the NBA. As the second-consecutive #1 overall Canadian draft pick, Andrew made his mark by winning four-consecutive Rookie of the Month Awards – becoming only the second player in NBA History to accomplish that feat. He also led his team in scoring and steals with 16.7 PPG and 1.0 SPG while finishing second in rebounds (4.4 RPG), field goal percentage (44%) and blocks (0.6 BPG). Andrew played in the Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend – winning Game-MVP and throughout the season, no other Rookie had more 20+ point games than him. The Timberwolves did not make the playoffs this year, but Andrew Wiggins hopes to continue to tap into his potential and lead the Timberwolves to more victories in the future.

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