The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament arrives in an era of unprecedented change in collegiate sports. The landscape has shifted dramatically due to NIL deals, the ever-growing transfer portal, and realignment across major conferences.
These changes have forced head coaches to adapt, leading to mid-season resignations and shakeups in power programs. However, they’ve also created a level of parity rarely seen in the sport, as evidenced by one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
For Canadian players, the impact has been just as significant. A record 170 Canadians suited up across 127 teams during 2024-25, further solidifying the country’s growing influence at the NCAA level.
But when the dust settled, just 20 players from 18 teams earned a coveted spot in March Madness—the lowest total since 2011 and one fewer than last year, far from the record 30 who made it in 2022.
Unlike recent years—when Zach Edey dominated headlines and collected back-to-back National Player of the Year awards—the current field lacks major individual accolades for Canadian standouts.
Instead, depth and key contributors defined the 2024–25 campaign, with 34 Canadians aaveraging double figures in scoring and 61 playing significant minutes (20+ per game). Heading into the Big Dance, seven Canadians are averaging double digits, and fifteen are logging at least 16.5 minutes per contest.
This year’s field is historically deep, highlighted by dominant conference performances and surprising turnarounds. The SEC leads all leagues with a record 14 teams earning bids, followed by the Big Ten (8), Big 12 (7), Big East (5), ACC (4), Mountain West (4), and West Coast Conference (2).
St. John’s resurgence under legendary coach Rick Pitino saw them claim their first Big East title in decades, marking one of the season’s most compelling storylines.
Of the 31 automatic bids, ten teams featuring Canadian players secured their spots by winning conference championships. Another eight programs with Canadians earned at-large selections, underscoring their impact across college basketball’s competitive landscape.
The East Region boasts the highest concentration of Canadian talent, with seven of the 20 players competing on the sport’s biggest stage. The Midwest Region follows closely with six, setting up intriguing matchups across the bracket.
This spring, seven seniors, including three graduate students, will cap their collegiate careers with a shot at one last shining moment. Five freshmen will experience March Madness for the first time, joining four sophomores and four juniors.
Among the first-year players, Will Riley (Illinois) emerged as the most impactful, leading all Canadian freshmen in scoring. Despite playing a limited role, Jovan Milicevic (New Mexico) appeared in all 32 games, averaging 4.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12 minutes per contest.
Meanwhile, three Canadian freshmen redshirted: Olivier Rioux (Florida), Oliver Faubert (Saint Mary’s), and Kevin Alabi (Alabama State), none of whom saw game action.
As the tournament tips off, Canada’s presence in March Madness remains strong. With 20 Canadians across 18 teams, this group will look to make a lasting impact, continuing Canada’s growing basketball legacy on the NCAA’s grandest stage.
Emanuel Sharp – No. 1 Houston Cougars (30-4, Big 12 Champions)
No team has won more games in college basketball over the past six seasons than Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars, who have amassed 211 wins since 2018. The Cougars once again enter March Madness as a top seed for the third straight year after capturing the Big 12 Championship.
The American-Canadian six-foot-three guard has played a key role in Houston’s success, averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. Sharp has been lights-out from beyond the arc, hitting 74 of 173 three-point attempts (43%) and ranking among the most efficient Canadian shooters in the NCAA.
With an 89% free-throw shooting percentage, the Tampa native has become a reliable closer in tight games. Logging 26.9 minutes per contest, he’s a trusted piece in Coach Sampson’s system as Houston looks to make a deep postseason run.
Ryan Nembhard – No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-8, WCC Champions)
The Aurora, Ontario native has established himself as one of college basketball’s premier point guards, guiding Gonzaga to its 26th consecutive NCAA appearance. The six-foot floor general has been a masterful playmaker, averaging 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and an impressive 9.8 assists per game while shooting efficiently across the board (44.4% FG, 39.3% 3PT, 76.5% FT) in 35.0 minutes per contest.
What sets Nembhard apart is remarkable distribution skills. The senior standout has recorded 12 double-doubles during his final collegiate campaign, all featuring points and assists. Such an achievement is particularly notable as most double-doubles in college basketball come from points and rebounds pairings.
Among the 28 players with more double-doubles than Nembhard, only two are listed as guards – Colorado State’s six-foot-six Nique Clifford and Idaho State’s six-foot-four Jake O’Neil – and all of their statistical milestones came exclusively through scoring and rebounding.
Nembhard’s 9.8 assists per game and 325 total dimes and counting represent an all-time Canadian NCAA record, shattering the previous mark and showcasing his elite court vision and decision-making. The heavy workload of 35 minutes per game underscores how important the Bulldogs’ floor general has been for the WCC champions.
As he enters his third straight March Madness, the crafty point guard’s leadership will be crucial in Gonzaga’s quest for a deep run. His record-breaking season has solidified him as not only the top Canadian distributor in college basketball but also one of the most impactful floor generals of all-time.
Aden Holloway – No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (25-8, SEC at-large)
The six-foot-one Charlotte-born guard has been a dynamic presence for Alabama all season after transferring from Auburn, contributing to one of the SEC’s most explosive offenses. Holloway’s ability to score in bunches and create for teammates has been instrumental in the Crimson Tide’s success, with averages of 11.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while maintaining impressive shooting splits of 46.6% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc.
Alabama enters March Madness as a dangerous at-large selection, aiming to make another Final Four run. The sophomore’s playmaking and scoring versatility will be key to their pursuit of a deep run. Holloway’s scoring versatility and ability to stretch the floor make him a key piece in coach Nate Oats’ high-powered system. With nearly 80% accuracy from the free-throw line, he has proven to be a reliable option in clutch situations.
Will Riley – No. 6 Illinois Fightin Illini (21-12, Big Ten at-large)
One of Canada’s most hyped freshmen, Riley has shown flashes of brilliance in his debut NCAA season. Despite Illinois’ experiencing some inconsistency throughout the year, the Kitchener, Ontario product’s impact on both ends of the floor has been undeniable, posting impressive numbers of 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
At six-foot-eight, the freshman’s length, athleticism, and ability to stretch the floor make him a valuable asset for the Fighting Illini as they aim to advance past the first weekend. Riley has adapted well to the physical Big Ten Conference, shooting a respectable 42.9% from the field. While his three-point shot (32.1%) remains a work in progress, his scoring instincts and two-way presence make him a potential X-factor in Illinois’ postseason push.
Kyler Filewich – No. 15 Wofford Terriers (19-4, Southern Champions)
Flying under the radar for most of his career, the senior big man is finally getting his shot on the national stage. Filewich played a pivotal role in leading Wofford to the Southern Conference title and an automatic bid to the tournament with impressive averages of 11.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
The Winnipeg native was a dominant force in the paint, averaging a near double-double while leading all Canadians in total rebounds for the 2024-25 campaign. His combination of size, strength, and passing ability (3.1 assists per game) makes Filewich one of the most unique frontcourt players in this year’s bracket.
Shooting an efficient 57.6% from the field, the six-foot-nine center has been a model of consistency for the Terriers. Logging 27.1 minutes per game demonstrates how crucial the big man has been to Wofford’s unexpected run to March Madness.
Despite his success, Filewich holds the dubious distinction of having the second-worst career free-throw percentage of any Canadian to play NCAA basketball, shooting just 37% (143-386) from the charity stripe. These struggles have forced the center to switch his shooting style to underhand “granny-style” free throws, a technique that has shown modest improvement in his senior season.
Josh Omojafo – No. 15 Robert Morris – (26-8, Horizon Champions)
It’s hard to find a better feel-good Canadian story than that of Omojafo. Just a year ago, the Hamilton, Ontario native was playing Division II basketball at Gannon University. Now, he finds himself as the starting point guard for Robert Morris, playing a key role in their Horizon League title run with averages of 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest.
The six-foot-five graduate transfer has been a consistent performer, scoring in double figures in 21 games this season. Omojafo delivered when it mattered most, scoring a career-high 27 points with seven rebounds to secure the regular season championship, then following it up with a dominant 24-point, 13-rebound double-double in the Horizon League championship game to secure the Colonials’ ticket to the Big Dance.
The veteran guard’s poise and leadership will be crucial as Robert Morris looks to pull off a first-round upset. Omojafo’s efficient shooting (44.2% FG, 38.4% 3PT) and versatility have made him an invaluable addition to the Colonials. Logging 30 minutes per game and connecting on 81.4% of his free throws, the Canadian has proven to be a reliable closer in tight games for the Horizon League champions.
With twenty Canadians officially set to take the stage at the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the excitement surrounding this year’s March Madness is at an all-time high. As these players look to make their mark, Canadian basketball continues to rise, proving that the country’s pipeline of talent is stronger than ever.
The impressive performances from established stars like Emanuel Sharp and Ryan Nembhard, coupled with the emergence of newcomers like Will Riley, showcase the depth and diversity of Canadian basketball talent. From sharpshooting guards to dominant big men, these athletes are ready to leave their mark on college basketball’s biggest stage.
While the total number of Canadians may have dipped slightly from recent years, the quality remains exceptional. Players like Keeshawn Barthelemy (Oregon), Kobe Elvis (Oklahoma), Jalen Celestine (Baylor), and Michael Nwoko (Mississippi State) will also be key contributors for their respective programs as the madness of March unfolds.
20 Canadians in the 2025 NCAA men’s March Madness tournament
2024-25 Canadian NCAA men’s basketball stats tracker – Per game (March Madness)
