La Belle Province represent: These Montrealers are set to hit the NBA hard court
Published
The NBA tipped off its season Tuesday night with two games featuring two of Canada's brightest stars: Jamal Murray of the world champions Denver Nuggets and Andrew Wiggins of the 2022 world champions Golden State Warriors.
Wednesday night, Quebec's finest will hit the hard court.
Out of 125 international players, Canadians make up the most at 27(opens in a new tab). Though the majority of the northern talent, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Andrew Wiggins and Jamal Murray are from Ontario, players out of Quebec, and more specifically Montreal North, are beginning to take up a higher portion of talent.
All of the following Quebec ballers are in action tonight.
Chris Boucher, Montreal
Undrafted. Signed in 2017.
Toronto Raptors
One of three Montrealers (with Bill Wennington and Joel Anthony) to win an NBA championship, the "Slimm Duck" goes into his sixth season with the Raptors.
The 6'9" power forward came off the bench in 76 games for Toronto last season and averaged 9.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
First game: Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Chris Duarte, Montreal (raised in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic)
Drafted 2021 - Round 1; Pick 13
Sacramento Kings
The 6'6" shooting guard/small forward played 46 games for the Indiana Pacers in 2022-23 where he averaged 7.9 points per game.
First game: Kings @ Utah, 9 p.m.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Montreal
Drafted 2023 - Round 1; Pick 24
Drafted by the Sacramento Kings and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks
The 6'8" guard was the highest-drafted Canadian in the 2023 draft out of Marquette.
First game: Dallas @ San Antonio, 9:30 p.m.
Bennedict Mathurin, Montreal
Drafted 2022 - Route 1; Pick 6
Indiana Pacers
Mathurin is the highest-ever draft pick out of Montreal. The 6'6" shooting guard averaged 16.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 78 games in his first season with the Pacers. He finished fourth in voting for Rookie of the Year.
First game: Washington Wizards @ Pacers, 7 p.m.
Luguentz "Lu" Dort, Montreal
Undrafted. Signed in 2019.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Lu the Beast signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Thunder after playing 74 games where he averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
The Dortress is an elite defender-swingman and part of one of the NBA's most exciting young teams.
First game: OKC @ Chicago, 8 p.m.
Unsigned: Khem Birch (Montreal).