LAS VEGAS (United States) – Canadian basketball is experiencing one of its brightest eras, led by current NBA champion and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With "SGA" at the forefront, alongside stars like RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, and Luguentz Dort, Team Canada claimed the bronze medal at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time since 2000. Every year, an increasing number of Canadian players are emerging as key contributors in the NBA. Among those to keep an eye on this upcoming season are Toronto Raptors forward AJ Lawson, heading into his fourth NBA campaign, and young prospect Will Riley, who was selected 21st overall in the recent Draft by the Utah Jazz and traded to the Washington Wizards. Both of them recently competed in the Las Vegas Summer League. Lawson was one of the standouts, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in four games as he aims to further establish himself with the Raptors. Meanwhile, rookie Riley made his professional debut with the Wizards and posted 10.5 points per game while shooting 57 percent from three in just 22.5 minutes of action.
The two players share a background in international basketball. Riley participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) 2024, where he was named MVP, while Lawson represented Canada at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship (2018), the FIBA U19 World Cup (2019), and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. Both claimed those experiences were fundamental to their development as players. “(BWB) It helped me in a lot of ways, just because coming into that, I wasn’t really familiar with outside of America. I had only played in America throughout my whole high school career, so just seeing the international talent outside of America and Canada was really eye-opening. There’s so much talent out there that a lot of people don’t even know about. And now, seeing some of those same guys in the NBA Draft has been amazing too,” Riley told FIBA Americas.
Lawson emphasized the value of representing the national team on the FIBA stage. “It’s been great. Playing against good competition with FIBA and all has been great. Playing for Team Canada is always a blessing. Having the country on your jersey is always an amazing feeling. And then, to pivot to being back home playing for the Toronto Raptors, it’s amazing, like I couldn’t ask for anything else,” said Lawson. At only 19 years old, Riley hasn’t worn the red jersey just yet, but he’s eager for the chance to represent Canada in a FIBA competition down the line. “I’m super excited for when that time comes to represent my country. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for all my life, to be able to play for Canada, compete against all the different countries, and share the court with other Canadians. I feel like that would be a really cool moment for me.” Both Riley and Lawson are well aware of the circumstances they’re in, coming from a country that’s positioning itself as a global basketball powerhouse. “I’m just trying to bring my country together. As Canadians, we have to represent. There are not a lot of us, so I feel like I could be a big face for Canada in the NBA. I’d be super grateful for that, it means a lot,” Riley said with maturity. Lawson added: “I feel like we’ve always had that underdog type of feeling. People always overlooked us. But now, they’re realizing Canada has real talent and we’re producing a lot. So yeah, I feel like we are the next up-and-coming and the world’s about to know that for sure.”
You can’t talk about Canadian basketball’s golden era without mentioning Gilgeous-Alexander, someone Riley has long looked up to—especially since both came through the UPLAY Canada development program. “I saw guys like Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), Barrett, Andrew Nembhard— those kinds of players just coming in and out of the program. So you would have those types of guys to look up to. It was really good to know that there are other players paving the way for us… You’ve got to appreciate that.” His admiration for the Thunder superstar and newly crowned MVP is genuine: “The season he just had was insane; he probably had one of the greatest seasons of all time. It’s just insane to see a guy who went through the same program as me just accomplishing all of those different things. He’s the second Canadian to win MVP (after Steve Nash), so you know it’s doable and it’s very very nice to see.” Looking at the current talent pool and the players still coming up, Lawson believes Canada can reach the top. “We’re going for gold in the next Olympics, man. We’ve got the talent to do it. We definitely have high standards, and we are going to strive for that gold in the 2028 Olympics, for sure,” he said. “Canada’s been growing, and we’ve got so much talent, I feel like, why not? We have all the players we need, so for sure going to try and get that,” said Lawson.
Different stages, same dream
Lawson, 25, made his NBA debut in the 2022–23 season. He played with Minnesota and Dallas before finding his best form last season with the Raptors, setting career highs in minutes (18.7), points (9.1), and rebounds (3.3). In contrast, Riley is one of Canada’s youngest rising stars, set to make his NBA debut in the upcoming season. Despite the age gap, both share humble beginnings, strong family support, and a resilient mindset. “I just embrace the journey every day. I come from a background where not many Canadians, especially guys from Brampton, make it to the NBA. Living out my dream, playing for my home city, representing my country— It's everything I dreamed of since the first time I touched a basketball. My dad put a ball in my hand, and now I’m here. Dreams really do come true,” said Lawson. For Riley, the most special moment so far has been having his entire family together. “I have a pretty big family, so getting to see them all in one place to watch me play—that has been a surreal moment for me. And then at the draft, getting to celebrate it all with my family— it was an amazing feeling.”
The rookie, just starting his professional journey, named two players he deeply admires: Argentine legend Manu Ginóbili and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. “I really like guys who love to win. I love watching Manu Ginóbili, Tyrese Haliburton, guys who are super competitive and just know how to win. I pay attention to the little aspects of their games, like how they find little ways to score. They’re super talented guys, and I love watching players like that.” Canada has a bright present and a promising future. And while the spotlight may currently be on the established stars, players like Lawson, who’s looking to cement his NBA role, and Riley, a top-tier prospect, are ready to add new chapters to Canada’s rich basketball story.
FIBA