Add three more names to the growing list of Canadians in the NBA.
Mississauga’s Andrew Nicholson, Montreal’s Kris Joseph and Vancouver’s own Robert Sacre were selected during the 2012 NBA Draft in Newark, New Jersey.
Nicholson was the first of the Canadians selected by the Orlando Magic with the 19th pick of the first round. Kris Joseph of the Syracuse Orange was scooped up by the Boston Celtics with the 51st pick overall in the second round, and Sacre completed the historic night when his name was called with the 60th and final pick of the Draft.
Canada now has a total of eight (8) NBA players, led by Suns Steve Nash (Vancouver), Cavaliers Tristan Thompson (Brampton), veterans Jamaal Magloire (Toronto, ON), Joel Anthony of the Miami Heat and Samuel Dalembert (Milwaukee Bucks) of Montreal round the bigmen.
Spurs Cory Joseph (Pickering, ON), Celtics Kris Joseph (Montreal), Lakers Robert Sacre (Vancouver).
Canada has seen five players selected in the last two previous NBA Drafts.
Expect these numbers to continue to rise, incoming NCAA freshmen Anthony Bennett of the UNLV Runnin Rebels is highly regarded as a top NBA prospect in 2013 and current class of 2014 high school prospect Andrew Wiggins is heavily considered as the top pick in Draft when ever he decides to declare.
Add in names like sophomores Myck Kabongo (Texas Longhorns) and Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga Bulldogs) and we could see the number of Canadians in the NBA reach double-figures next year.
