For the second year in a row, a Canadian is the top pick in the National Basketball Association’s draft. Andrew Wiggins of Vaughan, Ontario was one of three Canadians–all from the Toronto area–to be drafted in the first round on Thursday.
Wiggins played one year at the University of Kansas before announcing that he would turn pro. He was was chosen first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In 2013, Anthony Bennett of Brampton was chosen first by Cleveland after playing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The two other Canadian first-round picks Thursday were Nik Stauskas of Mississaugua and Tyler Ennis of Rexdale. Stauskas, who played at the University of Michigan, went eighth to the Sacramento Kings. Ennis from Rexdale played at Syracuse and was picked 18th by the Phoenix Suns.
Wiggins becomes the third Canadian on the Cleveland roster, joining Bennett and Brampton Ontario’s Tristan Thompson, Cleveland’s fourth overall pick in 2011.
Prior to Thursday, 42 Canadians had been drafted into the NBA. Three Canadians were chosen in each of the 1983 and 2012 drafts. Thursday marked the first time three Canadians were chosen in the first round.
The Toronto Raptors chose an 18-year-old from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bruno Caboclo, as their top pick. He went at number-20 in the first round.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.