Most everybody knows Canada as a hockey crazy country and for good reason, but there has been an explosion of great Canadian basketball players as of late as well.  All you have to do is look at the latest mock drafts for the 2014 NBA to see my point.

Everybody has heard of Andrew Wiggins but he isn’t the only big time player from the North to make a huge impact on the NCAA this season.

There is also some fresh young Canadian talent in the NBA as well.

With all the great young Canadian ballers making a name for themselves, Canada basketball should be in contention for a medal in the 2016 summer Olympics.

In this ongoing two-part series we have a look at the Canadians in both the NBA and NCAA and follow their progressive.

Here is a list of NBA players that should carry Canadian basketball to heights never seen before.

Andrew Nicholson, Orlando Magic: Nicholson was the 19th pick by the Magic in the 2012 draft.  After a solid rookie campaign, Nicholson has been even better this year.  he has been playing 21 minutes a contest and is averaging 9.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 52.6 percent from two-point range and 83.8 percent from the line.

Robert Sacre, Los Angeles Laker: Sacre was a second round pick by the Lakers a year ago but didn’t see the floor very often.  This year has been different and Sacre has taken advantage of his chance.  Sacre has appeared in 14 games this year (two starts) and is averaging 13.3 minutes a contest.  In his limited minutes, Sacre is averaging 4.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Not exactly big time stats, but Sacre has improved a great deal since his rookie season.

Cory Joseph, San Antonio Spurs: Joseph was a first round pick of the Spurs in 2011 but hasn’t seen much action during his two plus seasons in the league but played a big roll for Canada during the past summer.

So far this year, Joseph has appeared in 20 games (two starts) and ib averaging 8.2 minutes.  During that time, Joseph is putting up 3.7 points, one rebound and an assist.

Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers: Thompson was the 4th pick in the 2011 draft and is the most prominent of the young Canadians in the NBA right now.

so far this season, Thompson is averaging a double-double with 11.5 points and ten rebounds in 32.1 minutes a game.

Anthony Bennett, Cleveland Cavaliers: Bennett was the 1st pick of the 2013 draft, but hasn’t been able to break into the rotation for a struggling Cleveland team.  So far this year, Bennett has played in 199 minutes in 20 games and has really struggled to shoot the ball.  He is shooting 27.7 percent from the floor and 17.4 percent from the three-point line while averaging 2.2 points and two rebounds a contest.

Bennett has far too much talent not to figure it out and become a solid contributor.

Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics: Olynyk was the 13th pick in the 2013 draft and has stepped in and played right away.  In 18 games (six starts) Olynyk is averaging nearly 20 minutes and is putting up respectable numbers. he is averaging 6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the rebuilding Celtics.

Samuel Dalembert, Dallas Mavericks: Dalembert is in his first season with a Mavericks and has been playing well.  in 20.7 minutes a contest, Dalembert is averaging 6.3 points on 55.8 percent shooting from the floor to go along with 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers: after a brilliant career, Nash is about at the end of the road.  He is side lined with injury at the moment and no one is sure when or if he will return to action.

He has played only six games this season and is averaging 6.7 points, 4.8 assists and 1.5 assists.

Joel Anthony, Miami Heat: Anthony is no longer a rotation player for the Heat, having played only 33 minutes in eight games.  during that time he has registered a total of four points, six rebounds and four blocks.

This list could easily double in the next year or two with all the great talent working their way through the college game.