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 STEVE NASH  JAMAAL MAGLOIRE
 SAMUEL DALEMBERT  JOEL ANTHONY
MAKING THE GRADE
THUMBNAIL SKETCHES ON NBA CANUCKS
Joel Anthony
A native of Montreal, Quebec, Anthony played three years for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels where
he was the conference Defensive Player of the Year upon graduating. At 6-foot-9 and tipping the scales at 260 pounds, shows
that he can gain airtime as attested to his single game 13 block performance against TCU. Signed by the Miami Heat for 20007-2008
and played sparingly to date. Also spent time with the developmental team Iowa Energy. Not drafted
Norm Baker
Voted Canada’s top basketball player of the half century 1900-50, Baker was once described
by former Harlem Globetrotter founder and manager, the late Abe Saperstein, as "one of the greatest natural basketball players
I have ever seen." High praise indeed for a man who only played a few games in the big leagues (held in check for four games
Chicago Stags 1946-47 Basketball Association of America B.A.A.). Was the leading scorer in the short-lived Pacific Coast Professional
Basketball League (1946-48) while wearing the colours of the Vancouver Hornets. Four senior national titles under sneaker.
Also played in world championships, which were open at the time to top college and pro players. Played two years for the New York Celtics, Stars of America and Boston Whirlwinds, the traveling opponents
of the Harlem Globetrotters Not Drafted
Hank Biasatti
A name unknown to most Canadian sports fans.
Yet…Biasatti has the rare distinction to have been the only Canadian to date to play at the major league level in basketball
and baseball (Philadelphia Athletics 1949). Had a sip of coffee with the Toronto Huskies (1946-47 B.A.A.) - along with fellow
Canuck Gino Sovran. Perhaps most memorable hoops moment for Biasatti was in 1945 when his college team – Assumption
– earned a 49-45 decision over the one and only Harlem Globetrotters. Drafted by: Boston Celtics, 1947 BAA Draft.
Ron Crevier
A lackluster three-year career at Boston College (1980-83) was followed by lackluster three games in the
NBA (1985-86). The lanky 7-footer totaled four minutes. Pro highlight was his third place ranking in the blocked shots category,
1.6 per game, while playing for the 1986 United States Basketball League’s (U.S.B.L.) Springfield Flame. Also played
with Jim Zoet on the 1983 edition of the Toronto Tornadoes of the Continental Basketball Association (C.B.A.) Drafted
by: Chicago, 1983 NBA Draft, 75th pick overall
Bobby Croft
It was 35 years ago that Boston Celtics legendary coach and GM Red Auerbach stated that Canadian Bobby
Croft "was the top pro prospect in the country (USA)." Big words for a big fella who ended up being drafted by two professional
leagues...the NBA and American Basketball Association (A.B.A.) Croft played only one campaign in the ABA but gets the nod
to this list due to the fact that the red, white and blue basketball league was on par with the NBA in talent. Drafted by: Boston Celtics, 1970 NBA, 123rd pick overall and Texas Chaparrals,
1970 ABA, 2nd round
Samuel Dalembert
His first taste of organized hoops was as a sophomore at Lucien-Pagé
High School in Montreal, Quebec. Born in Haiti, he became a Canadian citizen in 2007. Graduated from Seton Hall University,
career leader with 167 blocked shots, he has developed into a top flight centre for the Philadelphia 76ers. Ranked 26th in
the NBA in 2006-07 with 23 double-doubles, 17 of which came over the final 46. In
his fifth pro year currenbtly averaging 10 pomts and 10 rebounds per game.Drafted by: Philadelphia, 2001 NBA Draft, 26th
pick overall
Rick Fox
Talk about big shoes. In 1991 Fox became the Boston Celtics first rookie to start on opening night
since Larry Bird (1979). Stayed six seasons, including one wearing the “C”, before heading to LA where he wore
Lakers colours for seven seasons. Three championship rings (2000, 2001 and 2002). A versatile 6-7 swingman who could do it
all and was always on the edge of stardom. Like several other players on this list – Houbregs, Vandeweghe – Fox
moved from Canada at an early age. He left for the Bahamas at the age of two and then back to the USA for high school hoops.
Drafted by: Boston, 1991 NBA Draft, 24th pick overall
Stewart Granger
Selected by Cleveland, 1983 NBA Draft, 24th pick, Granger played three NBA seasons: Cleveland 1983-84;
Atlanta 1984-85 and New York 86-87. He was also a first team U.S.B.L. all-star in 1986 while a member of the Wildwood Aces
Granger made the New York State high school finals in 1979 playing for NYC-Nazareth. Fellow Canuck Bill Wennington, like Granger
born in Montreal, also made the New York State high school finals. Wennington in 1981 with Brookville-L.I. Lutheran. Drafted
by: Cleveland, 1983 NBA Draft, 24th pick overall
Lars Hansen
Right from the ranks of Coquitlam’s Centennial
Secondary in British Columbia Hansen headed south to play at the University of Washington. Due to the ABA dispersal draft,
Hansen saw his stock drop for the Chicago Bulls when they landed Artis Gilmore. Hansen did make it to the show as a member
of the NBA champs Seattle Supersonics 1978. In 1981 Hansen was named Player of the Year and scoring champion of the FIBA First
Division Spanish League. Drafted by: Chicago, 1976 NBA Draft, 37th pick overall & Los Angeles, 1977 NBA Draft, 151st
overall
Brian Heaney
Made the move north of the 49th parallel from Bishop Laughlin in Brooklyn, NY in the late 1960 to showcase
his talents as a guard with the Acadian Axemen. Once scored 74 points in a single game (Acadia vs. Mount Allison, 1967-68)
Star player in the Eastern Basketball Association. Drafted by: Baltimore, 1969 NBA Draft,
215th pick overall
Bob Houbregs
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (1987) played five NBA seasons – 1953-58 - Milwaukee
Hawks, Baltimore Bullets, Boston Celtics, Fort Wayne Pistons and Detroit Pistons. Drafted by Milwaukee 1953 NBA first round
pick. First Canadian-born as such…not Leo Rautins as usually stated. NCAA Player of the Year (1953). Would rank behind,
or even slightly ahead, of Steve Nash as the Greatest Canuck ever but really has no Maple Leaf connections, living in our
country only during his tyke years before dribbling south. Drafted by: Milwaukee, 1953
NBA Draft, 3rd pick overall
Todd MacCulloch
The Winnipeg Wonder, Todd MacCulloch, made a name for himself at the U of Washington where he led the
nation in field goal percentage for three years in a row. Only the second collegian – Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry
Lucas was the other - to achieve that feat. Retired after only four years in NBA (Philadelphia 1999-2001 and 2002-2003 New
Jersey 2001-02) due to a neurological disorder affecting the peripheral nerves. Participated in the Schick Rookie Challenge
during the 2000 All-Star Weekend. Could have had a long career as a top quality journeyman centre. Drafted by: Philadelphia, 1999 NBA Draft, 47th pick overall
Jamaal Magloire
Showcasing his talents for the Eastern Commerce Saints, this Toronto product was a hot recruit and landed
a college gig in U of Kentucky where he is the Wildcats all time leader in blocked shots (268). Has the NCAA championship
ring (1998). Has an appearance in the NBA All Star Game (2004). Strutted his stuff in the All Star clash with 19 points, eight
rebounds in his 21 minutes of action. Was a starter for four years of his eight, now comes off the bench for the Dallas
Mavericks his sixth NBA team.. Drafted by: Charlotte, 2000 NBA Draft, 19th pick
overall
Steve Nash
Call him what you want. Kid Canada or Hair Canada…Steve Nash simply said, is the best basketball
player, perhaps even athlete, to date to come from Canada. Standing 6-foot-3, giving an inch or two, Nash has won back-to-back
NBA MVP status (2004-06) Only eight other players have done such and they include Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Bird and
Jordan.. No controversy here. His overall efficiency ratings rank him as one of the best ever! Made a name and game for himself
while with the Dallas Mavericks. now look for him to lead the Phoenix Suns to a NBA title. Is the sponsor of the Steve Nash
Youth Basketball League in British Columbia that has grown to over 10,000 participants. Drafted by: Phoenix, 1996 NBA Draft, 15th pick overall
Leo Rautins
Give it to him that he spent 10 years on our national team and that he is a member of the Canadian Basketball
Hall of Fame, but Rautins never really lived up to his press clippings. The youngest player ever to put on national colours
(at age 16) he would leave Saint Michael's in Toronto to later make a name for himself at Syracuse University. Plagued by
bad knees – 14 operations – his pro career consisted of two uninspired seasons in the NBA and an eight-year stint
in Europe. Also suited up in the C.B.A. (1989-91) for LaCrosse, and Sioux Falls. Younger kids got to know his name through
his NBA television work and now he guides our national program.Drafted by: Philadelphia,
1983 NBA Draft, 17th pick overall
Mike Smrek
From an average high school player – Port Robinson’s Eastdale Secondary – Smrek blossomed
into a NCAA All-American Honourable Mention while at Canisius College. He then placed two NBA title rings (1987 and 1988 Los
Angeles Lakers) on this fingers. Smrek is a true blue Canadian hoop legend representing our country on the international level
for several years. Carved out a nice NBA career. Drafted by: Portland, 1985 NBA
Draft, 25th pick overall
Gino Sovran
Joins Hank Biasatti as one of two Canucks to
hit the hardwood for the Toronto Huskies (1946-47). Top college player reaching the 1,000 point plateau for U of Windsor.
Also played at University of Detroit Mercy. 2002 Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Not Drafted.
Ernie Vandeweghe
Nicknamed Doc, Vandeweghe may be better known as father of shooting forward Kiki Vandeweghe (racked up
nearly 16,000 NBA regular season points 1980-1993). Montreal home for short while playing is high school ball at Oceanside,
NY and then Colgate University. One of the top shooters during his short NBA career. Drafted by: New York, 1949 BAA Draft, 29th overall
Bill Wennington
If there is one Canadian who deserved to have a NBA championship ring it’s Bill Wennington. A member
of the 1984 and 1992 Canadian Olympic teams he was part of the Air Jordan dynasty with Da Bulls in the 1996, 1997 and 1998.
A solid 13-year NBA career. Never averaged more than 7.1 ppg but earned his paycheque every night. Drafted by: Dallas, 1985 NBA Draft, 16th pick overall
Jim Zoet
A member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic (also national team member 1977-80
and 1990) Zoet played only seven games with the Detroit Pistons (1982-83) but went on to globetrot his talents professionally
in Holland, England, Argentina, Mexico and the Philippines. Nearly made it to the show surviving to the last cuts at the Atlanta
Hawks' training camp in 1982. Split his college career with time in the USA (Kent State University) and Canada (Lakehead University)
Not Drafted
Additional Canadians drafted by NBA teams:
|
Hank Biasatti |
Boston Celtics, 1947 BAA Draft. |
|
Mike Brkovich |
Milwaukee, 1981 NBA Draft,
181st |
|
Denham Brown |
Seattle, 2006 NBA Draft,
40th |
|
David Coulthard |
Detroit, 1982 NBA Draft,
214th |
|
Ron Crevier |
Chicago, 1983 NBA Draft, 75th pick |
|
Bobby Croft |
Boston Celtics, 1970 NBA, 123rd pick |
|
Samuel Dalembert |
Philadelphia 76ers, 2001
NBA, 26th |
|
Mickey Fox |
Detroit, 1975 NBA Draft,
169th
Portland, 1979 NBA Draft, 56th |
|
Rick Fox |
Boston, 1991 NBA Draft, 24th pick |
|
Stewart Granger |
Cleveland, 1983 NBA Draft, 24th pick |
|
Lars Hansen |
Chicago, 1976 NBA Draft, 37th pick & Los Angeles, 1977 NBA Draft, 151st |
|
Bob Houbregs |
Milwaukee, 1953 NBA Draft, 3rd pick |
|
Brian Heaney |
Baltimore, 1969 NBA Draft, 215th pick |
|
Joe Kazanowski |
Utah, 1983 NBA Draft, 146th |
|
Todd MacCulloch |
Philadelphia, 1999 NBA Draft, 47th pick |
|
Jamaal Magloire |
Charlotte, 2000 NBA Draft, 19th pick |
|
Dan Meagher |
Chicago, 1985 NBA Draft,
125th |
|
Perry Mirkovich |
Portland, 1980 NBA Draft,
125th |
|
Barry Mungar |
Washington, 1986 Draft, 82nd |
|
Steve Nash |
Phoenix, 1996 NBA Draft, 15th pick |
|
William Njoku |
Indiana, 1994 NBA Draft,
41st |
|
Eli Pasquale |
Seattle, 1984 NBA Draft,
106th |
|
George Rautins |
Buffalo, 1975 NBA Draft,
158th |
|
Leo Rautins |
Philadelphia, 1983 NBA Draft, 17th pick |
|
Tony Simms |
New York, 1983 NBA Draft
128th pick |
|
Mike Smrek |
Portland, 1985 NBA Draft, 25th pick |
|
Richard Spears |
St. Louis Hawks, 1964 NBA
Draft Rd 13 |
|
Warren Sutton |
St. Louis Hawks, 1964 NBA
Draft Rd 12 |
|
Ron Thorsen |
Buffalo Braves, 1973 Draft 209th pick |
|
Karl Tilleman |
Denver, 1984 NBA Draft, 79th |
|
Phil Tollestrop |
Buffalo 1973 NBA Draft 211th |
|
Jay Triano |
LA Lakers, 1981 NBA Draft,
179th |
|
Ernie Vandeweghe |
New York, 1949NBA Draft, 29th |
|
Bill Wennington |
Dallas, 1985 NBA Draft, 16th pick |
|
Greg Wiltjer |
Chicago, 1984 NBA Draft,
43rd |
Norman Henry
Baker (born February 17, 1923 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)
Voted
Canada’s top basketball player of the half century 1900-50, Norm “The Swede” Baker was once described by
former Harlem Globetrotter founder and manager, the late Abe Saperstein, as "one of the greatest natural basketball players
I have ever seen."
High
praise indeed for Baker, who picked up a basketball at age 10 playing for the Nanaimo Mosquitoes.
Six
years later he would become the youngest player to be part of a Canadian Senior National basketball Championship team when
the Victoria Dominoes dribbled their way to the title in 1939.
Two
more national titles under the Dominoes banner would come his way in 1942 and 1946.
In
addition he was part of the 1943 national champion Patricia Bay Royal Canadian Air Force Club Gremlins, scoring a then record 38 points in one game against
Windsor Patricks.
Baker
turned professional in 1946 but played only four games for the Chicago Stags of the Basketball Association of America B.A.A.
forerunner of the present-day National Basketball Association.
While
with the Stags he wore jersey No. 16.
Records
show that he only took one shot during this brief cup of coffee.
It
was a different matter though in the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League (PCPBL 1946-48) where the 6-foot-2 guard was one the leading scorer while
wearing the colours of the Vancouver
Hornets.
He
was second in league scoring in 1946-47 as Gale Bishop of the Bellingham Fircrests scored 771 (19.9 ppg) to Baker's 694 (18.8) points
Team
members that year were George (Porky) Andrews doing double-duty as player/coach along with Arthur Chapman, Reg Clarkson, Ken
lawn, Ritchie Nicol, Doug Peden and Sykes...first name unknown.
The
team was a high-scoring one as they set a PCPBL record for most points in a game during the 1947-48 season, dropping 97 against
Astoria Royal Chinooks on December 27, 1947.
The
Hornets finished near the top both seasons with records of 24-14 in the regular season and 6-6 in the playoffs (1946-47) along
with 29-23 for the regular season in (1947-48)
His
Hornets teammates for the 1947-48 campaign were Andrews, Chapman, Lawn, Nicol, Bill (Stretch) Osterhaus, Peden,
Dave Teyema, Jack Vaughn and Dean White.
Baker
led the PCPBL in scoring with a 22.6 points per game average
In
1946-47 he was one of two Canadians, along with Hornets ' teammate and Andrews, to play in the World Professional Basketball
Tournament (WPBT) with the Portland Indians.
The
Indians lost their only game played 62-48 to the Sheboygan Redskins.
Indianapolis
Kautskys would win the championship led by Arnie Risen (future four-time NBA all star).
The
WBBT was sponsored by the Chicago Herald-American newspaper and featured professional teams from the various professional
leagues at the time.
In
1950 Baker was the only non-American on a team billed as “The Stars of the World,” on a 13-nation tour of Europe
and Africa.
Baker
also played two years for the New York Celtics and Boston Whirlwinds, the traveling opponent of the Harlem Globetrotters which
featured the likes of the original clown prince Reece “Goose” Tatum who is also credited with inventing the hook
shot.
The
Globetrotters were installed into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a team September 27, 2002.
Following
his basketball career Baker worked as a police officer, and coached basketball and lacrosse in Saanich.
-Inducted into BC Sports Hall
of Fame in 1966
-Inducted into Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1978
-Inducted into Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame
in 1979
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