10 Best Canadian-Born Players In March Madness History

Over the course of NCAA and March Madness history, there have been dozens of Canadian-born players who have come into their programs and improved that team’s basketball odds. 

Below, I’ll list the best Canadian-born college basketball players. 

Best March Madness Canadian Players

10. Tristan Thompson, F, Texas (Brampton, ON)

Thompson played just one season for Texas, but he had a massive impact, averaging 13.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and a conference-leading 2.4 blocks per game. 

He was second-team All-Big 12 and the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. 

9. Ryan Nembhard, G, Creighton/Gonzaga (Aurora, ON)

Nembhard played four seasons of college basketball, including two at Creighton and two at Gonzaga. 

He averaged 11.7 points, 6.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. As a senior, he averaged 9.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game, both conference leaders. Not only that, but he led the NCAA in assists in 2025. 

Additionally, Nembhard was a two-time first-team All-WCC and the Big East Freshman of the Year. 

8. Kevin Pangos, G, Gonzaga (Holland Landing, ON)

Pangos played four seasons at Gonzaga and, over 140 starts, averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He also shot 41.5% from beyond the arc. 

He was a third-team All-American, WCC Player of the Year, four-time first-team All-WCC, and was the WCC Newcomer of the Year. 

7. Andrew Wiggins, G, Kansas (Toronto, ON)

Wiggins played for Kansas during the 2013-14 season, and averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. 

He was a consensus second-team All-American, first-team All-Big 12, and was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. 

6. Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, G, Kentucky (Toronto, ON)

Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as SGA, played one season for Kentucky and was named second-team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman Team, and SEC Tournament MVP. 

He averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. 

5. Kelly Olynyk, F, Gonzaga (Toronto, ON)

Olynyk played three seasons for Gonzaga, but he didn’t really come into his own until his final season, which was 2012-13. He averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. 

He was a consensus first-team All-American, first-team Academic All-American, the WCC Player of the Year, first-team All-WCC, and his No. 13 was retired by Gonzaga. 

4 Brandon Clarke, F, San Jose State/Gonzaga (Vancouver, BC)

Clarke played three seasons of college basketball, including two with San Jose State and one with Gonzaga. He missed the 2017-18 season due to transferring. 

In his only season with Gonzaga, he averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.2 blocks per game. He also shot 68.7% from the floor. 

Clarke was a third-team All-American, first-team All-WCC, the WCC Defensive Player of the Year, WCC Newcomer of the Year, first-team All-Mountain West, the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year, and a member of the Mountain West All-Defensive squad. 

3. Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky (Kitchener, ON)

Murray played one season for Kentucky, averaging 20 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and one steal per game. He also shot 40.8% from 3-point range. 

This performance earned him third-team All-American, first-team All-SEC, and SEC All-Freshman Team honours. 

2. R.J. Barrett, F, Duke (Toronto, ON)

Barrett suited up for Duke during the 2018-19 season and averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Barrett was a consensus first-team All-American, won the Jerry West Award, was first-team All-ACC, and was a member of the ACC All-Freshman team. 

1. Zach Edey, C, Purdue (Toronto, ON)

Edey played four seasons for Purdue from 2020-21 to 2023-24. 

It would also be easier to list the awards and accolades he didn’t win, but among them were being a two-time national college player of the year, a two-time consensus first-team All-American, the NCAA scoring champion in 2024, and more. 

He averaged 25.2 points per game in his final college season. Edey is Purdue’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. 

Who Is the Best Canadian Basketball Player Ever?

Based on college careers and resumes, Zach Edey is the best Canadian-born basketball player of all time. 

He secured several awards, including being named the National Player of the Year twice, led the NCAA in scoring, and is Purdue’s all-time leader in scoring and rebounding.