The NCAA player of the year in the last two seasons has moved on to the NBA and the college season will no longer be as exciting for Canadian basketball fans. I think we’ll need some distance to really appreciate just how big the Big Maple was in college and how much he’ll be missed (not just by Canadians; I’m sure Purdue fans will also go through a painful withdrawal process). Hopefully, his NBA career will one day eclipse what he’s done in college (unlikely).
But it’s not all bleak. After a few years of stagnation, the number of Canadians in college is again on the rise, and we’ll have a record number of 175 guys playing in NCAA D1 next year (the previous record was 160 in 2020-21).
This resurgence is the result of several factors. First, and probably most importantly, the extra-year eligibility triggered by the COVID pandemic finally starts to wear out, as we’re now entering the final year of the backlog generated by the super seniors phenomenon. This means that the numbers for Canadians might actually pick up even further next year, with many additional open roster spots. Add in the regular trickle of Canadian JUCO and D2 guys into D1 teams (notable moves this year include Elijah Mahi (Santa Clara), Addison Patterson (Northwestern State), and Josh Omo (Robert Morris)), and a healthy rookie class (I counted nearly 50 Canadians who will be rookies next year), and things are looking up again after a few rougher years.
And then there’s also an interesting new trend: no less than 10 players moved from Canadian colleges (U Sport) to NCAA’s first division. This includes names like championship MVP Ismael Diouf (from Laval to NC State), First Team Malcolm Christie (from Acadia to Oakland), U Sport Rookie of the Year Simon Hildenbrandt (from Manitoba to High Point), and Canada West Rookie of the Year, Elias Ralph (from Victoria to Pacific).
This northern exodus seems to be partly motivated by the new NIL opportunities, which effectively function as salaries for college players. Officially, since Canadians are international players, they are excluded from the NIL bonanza. But teams find creative ways to bypass these limitations and talented U Sport athletes are flocking south of the border. Some might see it as a threat to Canadian inter-collegiate competition, as it draws away the best talents and leaves the league depleted. But for my part, I see it as a natural and positive development. First, it might generate extra attention to U Sport games, with scouts looking for more mature talent to add to their teams. Second, it could encourage Canadian high school kids who previously went the JOCO/D2 route, or made bad choices to join D1 teams that just benched them, to stay in Canada and work on their game, with the knowledge that they can later still make the jump to the NCAA.
Similar to previous years, I’ll dive more deeply into 5 players from each cohort (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors). And I’ll do it more or less in the order of how promising I think their long-term potential is, rather than how productive they’ve been so far or might be next year in college. In addition, I’ll mention a few others from each class whom I’m at least somewhat curious to follow.
As this can get quite lengthy, I’ll divide it into four segments, starting today with the freshmen, and then gradually moving my way up the classes (will keep it all in the same thread to prevent overflowing).
FRESHMEN
The Canadian 2005 birth cohort is not one of Canada’s best in recent years, looking relatively thin in terms of high-level talent. This was reflected in the weak showing two years ago at the 2022 U17 WC. Canada finished outside the top 8 (The only time it happened in junior international competitions since the 2011 U19 WC) and was severely outmatched against good European competition. Luckily, a few 2006-born guys reclassified, and together with a guy who didn’t play for Canada two years ago, I think that there’s some NBA (or borderline) talent among the Canadian freshmen this year.
1. Will Riley | Illinois | 18.7yo SF | 6'9, 180lbs, 6’7 wingspan | Kitchener, ON
Reclassifying from the class of 2025, Riley is likely the best long-term prospect on this list, and also the guy with the best chance to hear his name called in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. I’ve been a fan since watching him for the first time as a scrawny 15yo playing high school basketball in Canada. He was maybe 6’5 at the time, with a narrow frame and mediocre athleticism (the last two are still pretty much true). But he had skill, feel for the game, and incredible knack for scoring that are impossible to teach. Fast forward 4 years, now standing at 6’9, the amazing shooting touch is still there (now extending to the 3-point line), along with a smooth and shifty game that’s really fun to watch. Riley is an alpha scorer with great attack mentality and an array of shifty moves. He’s fantastic at using angles and able to make even relatively tough shots with little separation seem easy, scoring them at a good percentage. I also like his vision and passing, which I think will pop when he plays with better teammates.
We’ll need to see how Riley adjusts to college physicality. At almost 19, he still sports a light frame, he’s not overly explosive, and his negative wingspan is also a bit concerning, as he’ll need to rely on skill and deception to create separation against stronger and more athletic defenders. The light frame and lack of length could also be an issue on defense, similar to what we’ve seen from Emoni Bates (there are quite a few similarities between the two in terms of skill and shooting touch, but also pretty identical frames). I do think Riley is a more willing defender than Bates and also a less selfish and more efficient offensive player. So hopefully he looks more like Brandon Miller (who is longer though) than Bates next year. But it won’t be easy on a loaded Illinois team, and there’s no guarantee he’d even start, let alone become a one and done.
2. Chris Tadjo | Iowa | 19.7yo PF | 6'8, 240lbs, 7’0 wingspan | Montreal, QC
Similar to other Montreal prospects, like Ben Mathurin and O-Max Prosper, Tadjo played his high school basketball at the NBA South America Academy, far from the eyes of most Canadian basketball fans. He also never played for a junior national Canadian Team and is not ranked by ESPN, Rivals, or 247sports among the top-150 prospects in this class, so I think he might be slept on. For me, his potential is similar to guys like Oshae Brissett, O-Max, and Emanuel Miller, with similar measurements, explosiveness, defensive potential, and developing skillset. In fact, he’s even stronger than the above 3, so arguably his ceiling is even higher if the offense comes along. Right now, Tadjo is primarily an excellent defender (was selected the best defensive player at the 2022 Basketball Without Borders camp). He’s strong, quick, explosive, and really committed, playing with a high motor and a lot of energy and hustle. He’s fluid and agile, sliding his feet well, which allows him to switch and contain smaller players in the P&R. But he’s also big and long enough to put a body on more massive guys in the paint.
Offensively, the high motor and tenacity also pop, as he loves crashing the boards (an excellent offensive rebounder), getting to the paint and finishing above the rim. He’s not the most advanced ball-handler and doesn’t have a great array of moves, but the strength and explosiveness allow him to still finish well in the paint, relishing contact and physicality. His biggest weakness for now is shooting and this could also eventually be the swing skill for him as an NBA potential. I don’t think he completely lacks touch and the form is not broken, so there’s some hope there. If he can develop his shooting in a similar way to what O-Max and Miller have done (and Brissett to a lesser extent), I think he’s a leaguer. Perhaps he’ll be one even without that, but the path will be significantly harder.
I suspect things might not go smoothly right from the start for Tadjo at Iowa, as the team has quite a bit of size and depth. He might not play much initially, and we’ll need to wait and see if he’s able to earn playing time as the season goes on.
3. Babatunde (Tunde) Durodola | Temple | 18.7yo PF | 6'8, 240lbs, 7’2 wingspan | Toronto, ON
Like Riley, Durodola also reclassified from the class of 2025. His physical frame is similar to Tadjo’s, but he’s not as springy and fluid (though I thought he looked more explosive at younger ages, so I’m wondering if he can get some of that back). Durodola is long, moves well, and has excellent hands, with errand balls finding their way to his hands. He’s also a very good rebounder. His perimeter skillset is a bit raw, but he can really score around the rim, with an array of post-up moves, good footwork, deception, and impressive strength. Improving his body, movement, and explosiveness will be very important, and I think it’s doable. Like Tadjo, the shot is not there right now, which is a shame. If he can develop that part of his game, his upside is also the NBA. As a true freshman, Durodola will likely be vying for minutes with other freshmen rookies behind Temple’s more established frontcourt of Steve Settle and Elijah Gray. But I can see him popping up and getting a larger role as the season progresses.
4. Jovan Milicevic | New Mexico | 19.5yo PF | 6'10, 250lbs, 6’7 | Toronto, ON
Milicevic played with the Canadian U17 team in the 2022 WC, in the weakest performances of a Canadian team in the last decade. Jovan had a big part in it, with an anemic and uninspiring performance (6.6 points on 32% from the field, 58% from the line, and middling defense). But he’s a much better player than what he showed at that championship, and he also improved significantly since then. Despite his big body, Milicevic is fairly light on his feet. He’s also a very good shooter, and has quite a bit of skill for a frontcourt player. His limited length, pop, and speed mean that he’ll have to really shoot it well and play smart defense to contend with the length and athleticism of college basketball. It might take some time for him to adjust, but eventually I think he’ll be able to make an impact with his skill, scoring acumen, and improved passing. Rich Pitino and the Lobos seem to like what Jovan brings to the table and I think he’s going to already see meaningful minutes this year as a rookie, even though New Mexico has a few senior big men who will probably start the year ahead of him in the rotation.
5. Hudson Ward | Penn State | 19.3yo SF | 6'8, 210lbs | Leduc, AB
Another guy who was part of the Canadian U17 in the 2022 WC, alongside Milicevic. I don’t think Ward is going to get a lot of playing time as a rookie in the Big 10 next season. Perhaps he’s even going to be redshirted on a veteran-heavy Penn State roster. But in terms of long-term potential, he’s one of the players that I’m higher on in this class. He’s a very good athlete, with good size for a wing, along with strength, developing skill, and nice shooting mechanics. He hasn’t quite put it all together so far against higher-level of competition, but I’ve seen some encouraging flashes in AAU games last summer and over the last year. He’ll likely need some time to adjust to the level of competition at an NCAA high major conference. But I think his ceiling is intriguing.
ALSO WATCHING
Freshmen are really hard to evaluate and the transition from high school to college basketball is one of the hardest. So, I’ll flag a bunch of names here, with some being more ready than others to contribute right off the gate. I’m actually not sure that any of them gets significant minutes next year and there’s a chance that several of them end up being red-shirted.
Christian Nitu | Florida State | 19.0yo PF | 6'11, 200lbs, 7’1 wingspan | Whitby, ON
Another player from that 2022 U17 WC, who also didn’t look good at that competition, especially defensively. But he’s a lefty with high upside, due to a nice blend of size, handle, and shooting (including self-created pull ups). Nitu was injured for much of the last two years, so I didn’t get to watch him often, but it seems like he added some strength to his light frame, which is really crucial, because he previously couldn’t contain anyone in the paint. He’s very talented and relatively young. I’m just not sure about his physical and mental toughness, especially on the defensive end. If it all clicks, though, he has one of the highest ceilings in this class, given his size, skill level, and touch. A red-shirt year at Florida State would not be a surprise, given him a chance to work on his body and get better prepared for this level of play.
Ramogi Nyagudi | St. Thomas | 18.2yo SF | 6'8, 195lbs, 6’7 wingspan | Winnipeg, MB
The youngest guy on this list showed interesting flashes playing with the Canadian U18 Team this summer. Another lefty with a good combination of size, athleticism, passing, potential shooting, and defensive upside. Plays with a high motor. There’s still a lot of work to do in terms of skill and feel for the game. You’ll often see him make a really enticing play, but then follow up on it with three head scratchers. I think there’s a pretty good chance that he’s red-shirted this year to allow his game to mature.
Ishan Sharma | Virginia | 19.3yo SG | 6'5, 190lbs, 6’4 wingspan | Milton, ON
The best shooter in this class. Can shoot it well from all ranges, in movement, off the dribble, from NBA range and beyond, or just long twos. Sharma is also a good passer and can play on the ball a bit, though that’s not his forte. Athleticism, length, and strength are going to be issues at the college level, but the shooting is real and can buy him playing time.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25042361/ypnnxput4giivwkh2clt.jpg)
Felix Kossaras | Colorado | 19.5yo SG | 6'5, 190lbs, 6’7 wingspan | Montreal, QC
Another junior Team Canada veteran. A combo guard with some size and skill. Kossaras was a good scorer at the high school level, with some pop and the ability to play above the rim. He needs to add strength and stability to make an impact in college. Right now, he’s very solid but doesn’t do anything at a really high level. But I think he has a pretty good situation on a rebuilding Colorado team and I expect him to get minutes from day 1.
Dylan Grant | Rutgers | 20.0yo SF | 6'7, 205lbs | Mississauga, ON
Grant played with the U18 Canadian team in 2022. He’s long and explosive and can really finish plays above the rim. Also, a very good defender, with tools and motor. Offensively, he’s mostly a straight-line driver, without much wiggle to his game, and the shooting touch, including around the rim, has often looked off with Team Canada (he did look better last summer in the Nike EYBL). Unless he really improved over the last year (he’s starting college as a 20yo, so that’s possible), I’m not sure he’ll see significant minutes on a stacked Rutgers roster, which sports two top 5 draft prospects in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.
Olivier Rioux | Florida | 18.7yo C | 7'9, 290lbs, 7’10 wingspan | Montreal, QC
How bad can you be when you’re 7’9, with a fairly stout frame and you basically just need to lift your hands up to dunk the ball? Well, as it turns out, pretty bad. Anyone expecting another Zach Edey or even something close to that is in for a disappointment. Right now, Rioux is just not a good basketball player. He somehow manages to play much smaller than his size on both ends of the floor, moves heavily, and doesn’t seem to have much passion for playing basketball. I don’t think he’ll play much this year, but even with the knowledge that bigs take more time to develop, I can’t really see him becoming a dominant college player. Would be happy to be proven wrong.
Jordann Dumont | Villanova | 20.2yo SF | 6'8, 200lbs | Repentigny, QC
After being redshirted last year, Dumont will try to find his place on the Wildcats’ rotation, which won’t be easy. He shares some similarities with Caleb Houstan (though he is not as talented as Houstan) in terms of size and shooting talent, as well as clear limitations in terms of strength and athleticism. Defense is a real challenge at this level, in terms of physicality and defensive intensity. He also needs to improve his handle and ability to finish around the rim with contact. Still, there’s enough talent, size and shooting here to provide value at the college level down the line. Of note, Dumont underwent hip surgery (both hips) in May, so I’m not sure about his health and whether he’s ready to go for the season.
Yanis Bamba | Wichita State | SG | 6'6, 210lbs | Laval, QC
Bamba is relatively unknown even to those who follow youth basketball in Canada. He’s never played for a national team and stayed in QC throughout his youth career. But I think there’s some interesting talent here. He’s a good athlete with a strong and lengthy frame and some explosiveness in the open court and off of two feet. The handle is also fairly tight, and the shot looks clean, with nice form and release. I also like his defensive potential, with quick hands and nice use of his verticality to block shots. Like Dumont, he was red-shirted last year at Wichita State. So, he’ll be a rookie this year and hopefully he’ll be able to start carving out some playing time, though I think he starts the season as a deep rotation player.
