How many Canadian Raptors players have there been in NBA history? Read here for a full list of Canadians to play for the Raptors, and current Canadian Raptors.
Since their debut NBA season in 1995-96, the Toronto Raptors have grown from a non-factor in the Eastern Conference to become a perennial contender and eventual NBA champion in the 2010s. The Raps have captivated not just their city but all of Canada as the nation’s lone representative in the NBA. Inevitably, Canadian Raptors players have been particularly adored by the fanbase.
How many Canadian players have represented the Raptors?
There have been 10 Canadian Raptors players since the franchise was founded in 1995. The number of Canadian players on the Toronto Raptors has increased significantly in recent years, though – heading into the 2019-20 season, only four Canadians had played for the Raptors!
Are there any Canadians on the current Raptors roster?
Yes, for those wondering how many Raptors are Canadian, there are two going into 2025-26: Former New York Knick RJ Barrett is joined by third-year wing AJ Lawson. This hasn’t always been the case, however. For the first 15 years, the answer to ‘do the Toronto Raptors have Canadian players?’ was a resounding no, with Jamaal Magloire becoming the first Canadian Raptor in the 2011-12 NBA season.
Which Canadian players have played for the Toronto Raptors?
Each of the 10 Canadians to represent the Raptors has had the honour of playing for the NBA’s only franchise outside the US. From hard-working role players to former high draft picks, here are all 10 Toronto Raptors Canadian players:
Jamaal Magloire
An All-Star with the New Orleans Hornets in 2003-04, Jamaal Magloire signed with the Raptors as a free agent in December 2011 for what turned out to be his final season in the Association.
Across 34 regular-season games as a Raptor, Magloire was the backup to Andrea Bargnani and Aaron Gray at centre. After being waived by the Raptors before the 2012-13 season, Magloire became a basketball development consultant and community ambassador for the franchise.
Anthony Bennett
Selected first overall in 2013, Anthony Bennett became the second Canadian to play for the Raptors, when he was signed as a free agent during the 2015 offseason.
Bennett’s NBA career was short-lived, however. He averaged 4.4 minutes per game as a Raptor and joined the Brooklyn Nets for the 2016-17 campaign. After becoming the first Canadian to be taken with the first pick of the NBA draft, Bennett became one of the biggest busts in NBA history. He spent only four years in the league before unsuccessful spells in Turkey, Israel, Korea, and Taiwan.
Cory Joseph
After spending four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Cory Joseph signed with the Raptors as a free agent in 2015. He played 160 regular-season games for Toronto, averaging 8.9 points and 3.2 assists.
The Raps traded Joseph to the Indiana Pacers for the rights to Emir Preldžić in July 2017. Joseph has been a journeyman backup guard since then, with stints on the Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic.
Chris Boucher
The most popular among all Canadian Raptors players, Chris Boucher was a fan favourite in Toronto. Boucher also holds the distinction of being the first (and only) Canadian player to win the title with the NBA’s lone Canadian franchise.
With the size to play centre and the mobility and shooting to slot in at the three or four, Boucher’s versatility made him a useful frontcourt rotation player across his seven-season stint with the Raptors. A free agent in the summer of 2025, it doesn’t seem like Boucher is in Toronto’s plans for 2025-26 and beyond.
Oshae Brissett
Oshae Brissett was signed on a two-way contract as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2019-20 season. The forward was an end-of-the-bench player in his lone season as a Raptor, playing a total of 135 minutes.
The former Syracuse forward has since been a reliable role player for the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics.
Khem Birch
Khem Birch signed with the Raptors after being waived by the Magic in April 2021. Birch started 17 of his 19 games in the remainder of the 2020-21 season, averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in the process. He split his time between a bench and starting role in the following season before being included in the Jakob Poeltl trade during the 2022-23 campaign.
Dalano Banton
Toronto selected Dalano Banton 46th overall in the 2021 NBA draft. Despite being a non-shooting guard, Banton quickly had a key role in the Raptors’ rotation and played in 64 regular-season games in 2021-22. His shooting improved slightly in his second season, but he ultimately left the team after the 2022-23 season to sign with the Boston Celtics. He was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in February 2024.
Kelly Olynyk
A lottery pick in the 2013 draft, Kelly Olynyk didn’t play for his hometown team until the 2023-24 season. Toronto acquired the shooting big man along with Ochai Agbaji for a first-round pick, Kira Lewis Jr., and Otto Porter Jr. Olynyk only played 52 games for the Raps before being included in the trade which acquired Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans.
RJ Barrett
One of the highest-profile Canadian players in the NBA, RJ Barrett, arrived in Toronto via the blockbuster trade which sent OG Anunoby to the Knicks in December 2023. Immanuel Quickley also became a Raptor in the deal. Barrett has been a much more efficient scorer since becoming a Raptor and posted his highest assists per game average in the 2024-25 season.
AJ Lawson
The second of two current Canadian players for the Raptors, AJ Lawson entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022-23. Lawson joined Toronto on a two-way contract midway through the 2024-25 season, appearing in 26 games and scoring 9.2 points per contest. The Raps converted Lawson’s two-way deal to a standard NBA contract in April 2025.
More NBA from Betway
Now you’re aware of how many Toronto Raptors players are Canadians, it might be a good time to check out which NBA teams draft the best or other basketball articles on the Betway blog.
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