(TORONTO, ON) The game of basketball was invented by a Canadian, Dr. James Naismith.  The first ever NBA game was held in Toronto, Ontario between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers in 1946. Canada has played an integral role in the growth of the sport of basketball, and is now poised for what some are calling 'the golden era of basketball in Canada.'

The National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) is proud to be a Canadian-based corporation, a Canadian-based league with Canadian owners, and to provide opportunities for Canadian players, coaches, and officials; as well as to entertain Canadian fan bases across the country.

The league is heading into it's third season this fall and now features ten (10) teams from ten different cities & towns stretching from Windsor, Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Newly added expansion teams include the Ottawa SkyHawks from the nation's capital and the Brampton A's from Ontario.  The Power have been relocated this season to Mississauga, Ontario.

The NBLC has featured fifty-five (55) Canadian players in it's first two seasons from nine (9) different provinces across Canada: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.  Thirty-one (31) of those players came from the Canadian College systems (CIS-AUS-CCAA).  The NBLC plays it's games according to FIBA rules.

Twenty-five (25) Canadians have served on the coaching staffs of NBL Canada teams:

Gerry Brumpton

Aaron McDonald

Shannon Hansen

Daniel Freiberg

Les Berry

Colter Simmonds

Paul Vaughn

Jim Palmer

Randy Loatman

Aaron Drummond

Barry Short

Pascal Jobin

Ali Haidar

Vito Frijia

Michael Frijia 

Serge Langis

Nico Loureiro

Pascal Jobin 

Mike Leslie

Will Njoku

Jerry Neree

The NBL Canada has given over 50 officials the opportunity to gain valuable experience refereeing professional games.  The NBL Canada teams also employ Canadian management, gameday operations staff, salespeople, administrators, dance teams, mascots, and more.  Our sponsors are Canadian companies, and of course, our fans are everyday Canadian citizens as well:

The league allows for unlimited Canadian players on every roster and last season had a minimum requirement of at least three (3) Canadian players. The NBL Canada owners vote each June to decide the minimum Canadian players required for the upcoming season.

Here are some quotes from a few of the domestic players in the NBL Canada on what the league has meant to them in particular:

Papa Oppong (Mississauga Power), 6'4 shooting guard from Pickering, Ontario:

Mike Anderson (Saint John Mill Rats), 6'4 shooting guard from the University of New Brunswick - Fredericton:

"It's a great league to have around here for sure, its been a long time coming. We needed something like this in Canada, and its a good thing it came here. I was right out of university and it came to my hometown so it was perfect for me."

Courtney Small (Mississauga Power), 6'2 guard from Durham College:

Doug McKinney (Summerside Storm), 6'8 forward from the University of Prince Edward Island:

"The NBL Canada to me is definitely something special. Getting an opportunity to play at a high level and so close to home is definitely something that I try not to take for granted. It's special for sure, I get to play a sport that I love and also get to meet a lot of great guys."

Damian Buckley (Montreal Jazz), 5'10 point guard from Concordia University:

"The NBL Canada for me is the ultimate remedy for the growth of Canadian basketball and where Canadians can dream about playing pro ball."

Greg Surmacz (Windsor Express), 6'8 forward from the University of Windsor:

"I've played overseas, I've played in Europe and South America, and this (NBLC) has to rank up there as one of the best atmospheres I've ever played in."

Antwi Atuahene (London Lightning), 6'3 guard from Mississauga, ON:

"The NBL Canada means a lot to me because it gives me a chance to pursue my professional basketball career in front of my friends and family. I have been gone overseas and to the US for basketball so a lot of my family and friends have never gotten the chance to see my progression in person. This has been an amazing platform for Canadians to do what they love right in their own backyard!"

Kamar Burke (Moncton Miracles), 6'5 guard from the University of British Columbia:

"Being able to compete against great talent on a daily basis is truly a blessing and not having to leave the country to do so makes us Canadians appreciate what this league has done. I'm glad I had the opportunity to play in this tough league. I've learned a lot and became a much better player all-around. Canadians should be very grateful because we can now continue to play professional basketball and stay close to home during the season."

Are the Canadian players in the NBL Canada "garbage time" players (as some critics have alluded) or real contributors to their teams?  Here are the facts:

*38 of the 55 Canadian Players have started for their respective teams.

*10 Canadian Players have been named to the NBL Canada All Star Game.

*11 Canadian Players averaged in double figures in scoring in the NBLC: Joey Haywood (14.3), Papa Oppong (12.8), Greg Surmacz (12.2), Tut Ruach (12.1), Kevin Francis (12.0), Chris Cayole (12.0), Micah Brand (11.9), Manix Auriantal (11.6), Terence Licorish (10.4), Kevin Loiselle (10.0), and Juan Mendez (10.0)

*8 Canadian Players have been in the top twenty (20) in rebounds per game in the NBLC: Greg Surmacz (8.6), Kevin Loiselle (8.3), Terence Licorish (7.1), Micah Brand (7.0), Jonas Pierre (6.4), Ricky Volcy (6.1), Kevin Francis (5.7), and Paul Campbell (5.5).

*Four NBLC players have played for Team Canada: Will Njoku, Richard Anderson, Jeff Ferguson, and Juan Mendez.

These players have earned these achievements playing against a league where 26% of the players have played in, or been drafted in, the NBA or the NBA Development League.  And 61% of the players have played NCAA Division 1 college basketball.  

Here is a composite list of all Canadian players who have suited up in the National Basketball League of Canada in just the first two seasons: 

Canadian Player Day at the 2013 NBL Canada Draft:

Saturday August 17, 2013 has been reserved for Canadian Players at the NBL Canada Pre-Draft Combine.  If you believe YOU have what it takes to make it in the National Basketball League of Canada, sign up TODAY!

For more details on how to register for the draft combine, please visit www.nblcanada.ca!

Watch the following NBLC Videos to get a feel what it means for Canadian players, broadcasters, and fans!:  

Real Canadian Stories From the NBL-C

NBL Canada Draft Intro.wmv

Oshawa Power Showcase: Mini interviews Denham Brown

NBL Canada Year In Review Season #2