NCAA Division I men’s basketball has consistently showcased extraordinary Canadian talent, and the 2024-25 season is no different.
Whether it’s the highly anticipated freshman forward Will Riley of the Illinois Fighting Illini or the impressive college career of senior Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard, the Canadian impact in the NCAA can’t be overlooked.
A record-breaking 170 Canadian players were signed to official rosters to kick off this year’s college basketball season, with many already turning heads with standout performances for their teams.
Ryan Nembhard – Gonzaga Bulldogs Point Guard (senior)
As one of the best passers in the NCAA this season, Aurora native and Bulldogs senior guard Ryan Nembhard has frequently been mentioned as a potential pick in the upcoming NBA draft, where he could join his brother Andrew Nembhard of the Indiana Pacers at the next level. In his senior year, the six-foot guard has progressed with his playmaking ability, averaging 9.9 assists per game—ranking him first in the NCAA this season.
Although Nembhard leads all Canadian players in assists this season, that does not take away from his ability to score, as he is averaging over 11.4 points per game on 42% shooting from the field.
In addition to his scoring success, he has been dominant at the foul line, shooting over 80% this season—his highest mark since his sophomore year at Creighton.
Nembhard and the Bulldogs look to secure a national championship for the first time in program history after a disappointing Sweet Sixteen exit last season.
Will Riley – Illinois Fighting Illini Forward (Freshman)
Coming into this season, Illinois fans were eager to get their first look at five-star recruit Will Riley. The Kitchener native has had quite an adjustment to make since his college debut against Eastern Illinois, a game in which Riley set an Illinois record for most points scored by a freshman, with 31.
Since Riley’s debut, the 6’8” forward has experienced a notable offensive decline, averaging 10.1 points per game on a disappointing 37% shooting from the field. However, Riley’s ability to find space on the floor has allowed him to find success in the mid-range game recently. Known for being a high-volume scorer in high school, Illinois fans expect his offensive game to improve with just over half the season remaining, especially if the team wants to make a run for a National Championship.
Xaivian Lee – Princeton Tigers Guard (junior)
The Princeton guard has had quite the impact for the Tigers’ this year. Since his freshman season, the 6’4” junior has only sharpened his playmaking abilities. Having averaged almost 1 assist in his first season of college, he currently holds his career best 5.5 assists per game this year, leading all players on the team.
Not only is he able to excel at moving the ball, but the Toronto-born athlete has also carried over his consistent scoring ability from his sophomore season, averaging 17.2 points per game on 43% shooting from the field, 37% from the three-point line, and 74% from the free-throw line.
Lee and the Tigers look to carry on their season’s success, which currently has them sitting atop the Ivy League.
Jahmyl Telfort – Butler Bulldogs Forward (senior)
The former Northeastern Huskies forward Jamyl Telfort, is now in his second season as a Butler Bulldog, and his presence has been felt right from the start. Born and raised in Montreal, the Bulldogs forward is known for his work ethic, averaging 35.1 minutes and 15.5 points per game this season on a struggling Butler team that currently sits at 7-10 in the Big East Conference.
The senior forward is now in his fifth season at the college level and has only improved since being named the CAA Sixth Man of the Year in 2021 and playing for Canada’s U23 team at GLOBL JAM in 2023
Marko Maletic – Western Illinois Leathernecks Forward (senior)
The college career of the Leathernecks’ senior forward has been quite the journey since suffering a knee injury during the 2021-22 season with the Toledo Rockets, followed by spending the past three years on three different teams. He began his college career in his hometown of London, Ontario, with Fanshawe College before working his way into the NCAA.
Averaging nearly 17 points per game on 47% shooting from the field, he currently ranks ahead of all Canadian players in NCAA men’s basketball for points per game this season.
Malachi Davis – Long Island Sharks Guard (junior)
The Toronto-born junior guard announced his commitment to Arizona State (ASU) in March 2023 after spending several seasons at the junior college level (NJCAA). After appearing in seven games with ASU during his freshman year, he left the following season to become a redshirt junior and joined the Long Island University Sharks in 2023. He currently averages the second-highest points per game among Canadians in the NCAA this season, with 16 points per game.
His competitiveness has only grown since taking on a primary role in the Sharks’ offense, averaging over 32 minutes per game in 22 games this season. His efficiency with big minutes is encouraging for the Long Island program, which currently ranks first in the Northeast Conference.
Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe – Seattle Redhawks Forward (senior)
After transferring from the Georgia Bulldogs, the Toronto native is now in his fifth season at the college level. Becoming an exceptional rebounder wasn’t evident in Moncrieffe’s previous seasons, but he has drastically changed his playing style with the Redhawks, utilizing his combination of size and mobility on both ends of the court.
The 6’8” forward is averaging a double-double in 17 games this season for the Redhawks. He currently leads all Canadian players in the NCAA in rebounding with 11 per game and is currently sixth among all players in the league.
Javonte Brown – Rhode Island Rams Center (senior)
Known for his impressive physical skill set, the Toronto native is having the best season of his college career while competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference after declaring as a redshirt senior last season at Western Michigan.
The 7-foot center currently leads all Canadian players in the NCAA in blocks, averaging almost two per game, and ranks inside the top-30 among all NCAA players this season. Brown stands out as an explosive center with his combination of size, strength, and ability to control the inside perimeter on both ends of the floor.
Since joining the Rams, his rebounding stats have drastically improved, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game this season compared to 4.2 last year. In addition to his rebounding, Brown is also averaging 9.1 points per game on 65% shooting from the field and 59% from the foul line.
