Canadian basketball talent is shining bright and the world is taking notice. After Canada defeated the U.S. in the bronze-medal game at the World Cup in September to win its first medal ever, the league also saw a surge in the number of Canadian players. This season, a record 27 Canadian players have played in at least one game, making it the most-represented country in the NBA after the USA. And for good reason, too.

Just look at Jamal Murray, whose stellar performance helped lead the Denver Nuggets to their first championship last season in nearly half a century. Then there’s Andrew Wiggins, a key player in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship run. And more recently, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose outstanding play this season earned him a starting spot in the All-Star game and put him in the MVP conversation.

In a recent episode of It Is What It Is, rappers Cam’ron and Mase discussed The Ringer’s Top 30 NBA players list, which lists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at number four. Talking about Canada’s dominance, Cam’ron states, “It’s so many Canadian players that we don’t even talk about that may be role players on teams but Canada just coming down here like Drake and Justin Bieber just come here taking sh-t over when they want to take it over…Whatever is going on, it is translating here, and it is not looking good for Americas.”

The best out of the lot clearly has been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has established himself as a bonafide star over the last two seasons. The 25-year-old has played a pivotal role in OKC Thunder’s turnaround this season. The team that was once below .500 and missed the postseason last year is now a title contender, sitting in the 3rd sport in the stacked Western Conference. Averaging 30.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 53.9% efficiency from the field and 36.8% from the deep, SGA is in a close race for this season’s MVP with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Notice how they are all international players?

International talent taking over the NBA

The league has been trying to expand its business activity around the world, with games being broadcast in 214 countries and territories, recent preseason games held in the United Arab Emirates, and some regular-season games being played in Mexico and France. And its on-court makeup is a reflection of its expanding global footprint. This season features a record 125 international players from 40 countries, with some of them even becoming the face of their respective franchises.

Ever since the first MVP award was given in the 1955-56 season, only seven international players have won the MVP. Three of those seven have won the MVP award in the past five seasons. Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo won two back-to-back in 2018-1 and 2019-20, while also leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship in 2021. Serbian star Nikola Jokic followed suit, winning two straight in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, also towing his team to a title last year.

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The most recent one was the reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who was on pace to win a back-to-back before the NBA’s 65-game policy made him ineligible for the award. And it looks like the number might soon increase to eight at the end of this season.

“Sweat and Bleed Just Like Us”: Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Unfazed by LeBron James and Team USA’s Paris Olympics Threat