Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the lone Canadian in the NBA All-Star Game, has the potential to inspire a new generation of players, following in the footsteps of Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors. NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum highlights the growing influence of Canadian basketball both domestically and internationally.
Twenty-five years ago, Vince Carter electrified the NBA 's Slam Dunk competition, igniting a passion for basketball among a new generation of Canadian athletes. Now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , hailing from Hamilton, has the potential to do the same. As the lone Canadian participating in the NBA 's All-Star Game on Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring basketball players across the country.
Mark Tatum, the NBA's deputy commissioner, drew parallels between Carter's impact and the Toronto Raptors' influence on Canadian basketball, and the potential for Gilgeous-Alexander to further elevate the sport's popularity. 'It's remarkable. I mean, basketball in Canada is growing and growing and growing,' Tatum remarked during a recent video conference with basketball reporters worldwide. 'Outside of the U.S., we have more Canadian players than any other country globally, and that's part of the Raptors effect.'Gilgeous-Alexander is showcasing remarkable prowess on the court, averaging 32.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds for the Oklahoma City Thunder. This marks his third consecutive season of scoring over 30 points per game, solidifying his status as a leading MVP candidate. He will represent Team Chuck on Sunday, a squad primarily comprised of international players selected by Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Joining Gilgeous-Alexander on Team Chuck are three-time MVP Nikola Jokic of Serbia, French phenom Victor Wembanyama, and former Raptors star Pascal Siakam of Cameroon. Tatum believes the presence of these international stars contributes to the global growth of the sport. 'That is part of having players, going back to Steve Nash, to today with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is a legitimate MVP candidate, and like many of our players who are from those different countries, they inspire a next generation of players,' Tatum explained. 'This generation of Canadian players now, looking at the Canadian national team, and they're really good, and they're going to be good for a long time, I think that inspires an entire country.'Tatum anticipates the Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA franchise slated to begin play in 2026, will have a similar transformative impact on women's basketball in Canada. 'We saw that when we brought WNBA games to Canada, they sold out within a matter of minutes,' Tatum stated, referring to pre-season games held in Toronto in 2023 and Edmonton in 2024. 'The enthusiasm for women's sports, and particularly women's basketball now in Canada, we're going to see that when the new team starts playing in Toronto too.'
NBA All-Star Game Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Vince Carter Canada Basketball Toronto Raptors Mark Tatum
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