San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half of Game 7 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Canada no longer the leader in international players named to opening-day NBA rosters
Oct 20, 2026 | 10:27 AM
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TORONTO — Canada is no longer the NBA’s biggest source of international talent.
The list of international players released Tuesday by the NBA shows France with a league-leading 17 players, one more than Canada.
Canada had boasted the largest international presence on opening-day rosters for the previous 12 seasons. The 16 Canadian players to start 2026-27 represent a drop of nine from last season.
Canada lost one player on Monday when Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell was waived after 12 seasons with the club. The 2025-26 Canadian contingent also included longtime Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who died in May of a drug overdose, and veteran centre Kelly Olynyk, who joined Italian club BC Roma earlier this month.
