Canadian first overall NBA pick — again

For the second straight year, a Canadian was chosen first overall in the NBA draft, but Andrew Wiggins was far from the only Canuck near the top of the draft.

It’s the first time a Canadian has been chosen as the first overall pick in back-to-back NBA drafts. And with a roster of Canadian talent at the event, some of the McMaster Marauder basketball players watched the draft at a teammate’s house.

“It’s pretty big for Canada given the fact that it will show people that we can play basketball here and it’s not just Europeans and Americans that can play ball,” said Leon Alexander.

Nathan McCarthy credits young Canadian players training in the U.S. as a game changer.

“The game’s just developing and more guys are going to the States to play now. Before it was pretty rare to see them go to a college in the states, but now it’s a common thing for the elite players,” says McCarthy.

Of the seven homegrown prospects who could be drafted, six are from southern Ontario, specifically Toronto, Thornhill, Mississauga, and Brampton. All part of what some call the “NBA generation,” Kids who were born just after Canada joined the NBA back in 1995.

Like Adam Presutti who says he’s seen firsthand the sport develop and become more popular amongst those he’s not only grown up with, but also played with.

“It’s cool especially because i’ve played against a couple of them. One of them actually, Nik, not a close friend, but you know we used to hoop all the time in his backyard. It’s cool to watch them succeed at the next level,” said Presutti.

It’s a night to remember for these athletes who say it’s a good feeling watching fellow Canadian players do so well in their sport.

Even the prime minister is watching the draft. Stephen Harper tweeted out a congratulations to Wiggins for being the first overall pick.