For Canadian basketball fans, the NBA Summer League has become the first chapter of the next NBA story.
Long before players establish themselves as NBA regulars, Las Vegas provides the first opportunity to see Canada’s emerging talent compete against the world’s best young players.
Over the years, Summer League has showcased some of the biggest moments in Canadian basketball history.
The 2014 NBA Summer League was a landmark year for the country, as Canada’s only two No. 1 overall picks made their debuts on the league’s biggest developmental stage.
Andrew Wiggins, selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft, scored 18 points in his Summer League debut. Anthony Bennett, the 2013 No. 1 overall pick, made his first appearance one year later after missing the 2013 tournament following rotator cuff surgery, finishing with 15 points.
A decade later, Canada’s Summer League story has changed.
The country did not produce a Canadian-born selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, but Canadian representation remains stronger than ever. A total of 12 Canadian players have earned spots on official 2026 NBA Summer League rosters, showcasing the depth and diversity of Canada’s basketball pipeline.
Canadians playing in 2026 NBA Summer League
This year’s group includes NBA veterans looking for bigger roles, drafted rookies beginning their professional careers and players who have taken unconventional paths toward basketball’s biggest stage.
Will Riley returns after breakout Rookie season
Leading the Canadian contingent is Washington Wizards forward Will Riley, who enters his second NBA Summer League after an impressive rookie campaign.
The Kitchener, Ontario native appeared in 74 games during the 2025-26 NBA season, averaging 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Riley became one of Washington’s most promising young players as the season progressed, averaging 16.1 points and 3.7 rebounds over the final two months while displaying the scoring ability that made him one of Canada’s top prospects.
The 6-foot-8 forward recorded eight 20-point games and two 30-point performances during his rookie season.
Riley returns to Las Vegas after a strong showing at the 2025 Summer League, where he averaged 10.5 points while shooting 58.3 percent from the field across two games.
Now, he joins a Wizards team featuring 2026 No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, whose Summer League debut is expected to be one of the most anticipated appearances of the tournament.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper looking to take another step in Memphis
While many Canadians arrive in Las Vegas searching for their first NBA opportunity, Olivier-Maxence Prosper enters Summer League looking to continue establishing himself as a long-term NBA contributor.
The Montreal native experienced a breakout season after joining the Memphis Grizzlies.
Selected 24th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Prosper spent his first two NBA seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before being waived last off-season. Less than a week later, he joined Memphis on a Two-Way contract before earning a standard NBA deal in March.
The opportunity paid off.
Prosper appeared in 53 games for the Grizzlies, starting 24 times while averaging 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 18.6 minutes per game.
He also showed significant improvement as a shooter, connecting on 54.9 percent of his field goals and 40.5 percent of his three-point attempts.
After averaging just 3.9 points per game through his first two NBA seasons, Prosper emerged as a reliable contributor for a Memphis team dealing with injuries throughout the season.
His development earned him a two-year standard contract with the Grizzlies, with his 2026-27 salary set at $2,497,812.
Entering his third NBA season, Prosper is no longer fighting simply to make an NBA roster. He is looking to prove he can become an important piece of Memphis’ future.
Ryan Nembhard has already turned opportunity into an NBA contract
Ryan Nembhard represents another Canadian success story built through perseverance.
The Aurora, Ontario guard entered the NBA as an undrafted player in 2025, beginning his professional career on a Two-Way contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
By the end of the season, Nembhard had earned a standard NBA contract.
Dallas signed him to a two-year, $2.5 million deal after his development and performance earned the organization’s confidence.
Nembhard returns to Summer League in a different position than many players on this list. Instead of fighting for an opportunity, he enters Las Vegas continuing to develop as part of Dallas’ long-term backcourt plans.
Xaivian Lee chasing his NBA opportunity while Emanuel Sharp begins his rookie journey
Canada did not have a Canadian-born first-round selection in 2026, but the country still had representation on draft night.
Toronto guard Xaivian Lee enters Summer League looking to follow the path many undrafted players have taken before him.
The 6-foot-3 guard earned a roster spot with the Cleveland Cavaliers after going undrafted and will use Las Vegas as an opportunity to showcase his playmaking ability, basketball IQ and ability to compete against NBA-level talent.
For Lee, Summer League represents the beginning of his professional journey and a chance to earn a Two-Way contract or a long-term opportunity with Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Emanuel Sharp arrives in Las Vegas with a different challenge.
The Sacramento Kings selected Sharp 45th overall in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, making him one of Canada’s newest NBA draft picks.
One of the premier shooters in this year’s draft class, Sharp built his reputation as a dangerous perimeter threat capable of stretching the floor with deep range and quick release. He also earned praise for his defensive competitiveness and willingness to take on difficult backcourt assignments, giving him the profile of a prototypical modern three-and-D guard.
Summer League will provide the Kings with their first extended look at Sharp as he begins his NBA career and looks to prove he can translate those strengths to the professional level.
Akoi Yuot’s unlikely journey reaches the NBA Summer League
Few players in this year’s tournament have followed a more unique path than Akoi Yuot.
The Calgary, Alberta native will represent the New York Knicks after building his career far away from the traditional basketball pipeline.
Yuot began his collegiate career with the Vancouver Island University Mariners in Nanaimo, British Columbia, before continuing his development with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Trojans.
His journey makes him just the second player from the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) to appear in the NBA Summer League, joining Karim Mané, who played at Vanier College in Montreal before appearing with the Orlando Magic in 2021.
Standing 6-foot-8, Yuot has continued to develop professionally. During the 2025-26 season with SC Vasco da Gama in Portugal’s top division, he averaged 19.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, earning MVP honours for Round 12.
Now with the Knicks, Yuot has the opportunity to continue one of the most unique basketball journeys in Canadian history.
Elias Ralph continues Canadian university basketball tradition
Another Canadian making history is Sacramento Kings forward Elias Ralph.
The Okotoks, Alberta native earned NBA workouts after two seasons at Pacific and becomes only the third player with U SPORTS experience to appear in NBA Summer League.
Ralph joins an exclusive group that includes Philip Scrubb and Caleb Agada.
He is also the second player coached by legendary Canadian basketball coach Dave Smart to reach the Summer League stage. Scrubb, who played under Smart and won five consecutive national championships as Carleton’s lead guard, appeared with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Charles Bediako continues his NBA pursuit
Charles Bediako returns to Summer League searching for his first official NBA minutes.
The Brampton, Ontario centre went undrafted in 2023 after two seasons at Alabama and has continued developing through the NBA G League system.
Earlier this year, Bediako made headlines by returning to Alabama after changes to NCAA eligibility rules appeared to open the door for former professional players to resume their college careers. He appeared in five games for the Crimson Tide before the NCAA ruled that his previous NBA Two-Way contract made him ineligible to continue competing.
Now with the Chicago Bulls’ Summer League team, Bediako resumes his pursuit of earning a permanent place on an NBA roster.
The remaining Canadian contingent features Jahmyl Telfort (LA Clippers), Elijah Mahi (Oklahoma City), Emanuel Miller (San Antonio) and Toronto’s own Jalen Celestine, who will represent the Raptors in front of a Canadian fan base eager to see another generation continue the country’s remarkable basketball growth.
A decade ago, Canada’s Summer League story was defined by No. 1 overall picks.
In 2026, it is defined by depth.
From first-round selections like Olivier-Maxence Prosper, to emerging NBA contributors like Will Riley and Ryan Nembhard, to undrafted players and prospects who built their careers through unconventional routes, Canada’s basketball pipeline continues to expand.
Las Vegas will once again provide the first glimpse at the country’s next NBA success stories.
