In the 2012 NBA Draft, three Canadians were selected; Andrew Nicholson 19th overall by Orlando Magic, Kris Joseph 51st overall by Boston Celtics and Robert Sacre 60th overall by L.A. Lakers.

Mississauga, Ontario’s Andrew Nicholson was selected in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft by being chosen 19th overall by Orlando Magic. This marks the third Canadian to be drafted in the first round in the past two years following Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph who were chosen in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Nicholson had a great four year tenure at St. Bonaventure University. During his tenure with the Bonnies, each year he seemed to get better and better each year. In his senior season, he led St. Bonaventure to the March Madness basketball tournament and was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. He averaged 18.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in his final season.During his final season, he made history as he was the first player in the league to win four consecutive player of the week awards.  

The newly-crowned Canadian NBA draftee now joins a select group of Canadians who have been drafted in the first round that most notably includes; Leo Rautins (17th overall in 1983), Bill Wennington (16th overall in 1985), Rick Fox (24th overall in 1991), Jamaal Magloire (19th overall in 2000), Samuel Dalembert (26th overall in 2001), Tristan Thompson (4th overall in 2011), and Cory Joseph (29th overall in 2011).

Kris Joseph (Montreal, QC) was selected 51st overall by the Boston Celtics. Kris Joseph played four years at Syracuse University and in his senior season he led the Orange in scoring and was named to the All Big-East Team.

Robert Sacre (North Vancouver, BC)  was selected 60th overall by the L.A. Lakers. As a junior and senior, he was named to the All-West Coast Conference first team, and in his senior season was also named the WCC Defender of the Year.

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