Jamal Murray headlines Canadian NBA draft prospects

The 2016 NBA draft is Thursday and the golden age of Canadian basketball shows no signs of abating.

Since 2011, nine Canadians have been selected in the first round, more than any other country outside the U.S. Two of those — Anthony Bennett in 2013 and Andrew Wiggins in 2014 — went first overall. At the start of this past season, a record-tying 12 Canadians were on NBA rosters, the most of any non-American players.

From Minnesota Timberwolves franchise player Wiggins to Toronto Raptors guard Corey Joseph, Canada's impact in today's NBA is indisputable. So who is next in line to take their Canadian talents to the professional ranks? Here are a few Canadian prospects who could have their name called come draft time:

Jamal Murray (Freshman) — Kentucky

Fresh off of an impressive showing for Canada at the Pan Am Games, Murray played himself into what many draft experts predict is a lottery selection after just one season under coach John Calipari. The 18-year-old, Kitchener, Ont., native led the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 20 points per game, including 40.8 per cent from three-point range. He also averaged 5.8 rebounds. Named a third-team AP All-American, the six-foot-four, 207-pound guard set several Kentucky and SEC freshman scoring records with 720 points and 113 three-pointers, and was the top teenaged scorer in the NCAA this past season.

While some critics have questioned Murray's NBA readiness because of a lack of elite length, quickness, and athleticism, others love his confidence, aggressiveness, and overall offensive skill-set.  One of the nation's top spot-up three-point shooters, Murray also proved to be an off-screen threat, shooting 56 per cent while firing off of 75 screens this season.

The Bottom Line: Scouts agree that Murray is a pure scoring guard who possesses an elite jump-shot and offensive skills, which should make up for his perceived lack of athleticism and defensive shortcomings. Don't be surprised if Murray goes as high as third overall to the Boston Celtics, who need a good outside shooter.

Kyle Wiltjer (Senior) — Gonzaga

A dual U.S. and Canadian citizen who represents Canada internationally, Wiltjer transferred from Kentucky after two seasons and a national championship in order to gain more playing opportunities at Gonzaga. Ultimately, the move to the Canadian-friendly Bulldogs was successful for the Portland, Ore., native as he averaged 18.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game to go along with a 45 per cent three-point shooting percentage in two seasons with the Zags.

Scouts agree that Wiltjer — a second-team AP All-American in his senior season — has a dynamic scoring skillset that looks to be NBA ready. According to Jacob Eisenberg of DraftExpress, Wiltjer's intelligence and long-range shooting are his biggest assets as the fifth-year-senior hit 43 per cent of both his long-range perimeter shots and contested catch-and-shoot opportunities last season. The knock on Wiltjer is a lack of strength and athleticism, as well as a perceived weakness on defence.

The Bottom Line: The former SEC Sixth Man of the Year is a decorated player who appears to possess an elite outside shot that should fit well into today's floor-spacing NBA game. However, his weaknesses make Wiltjer anywhere from a middle to late second-round pick, to a non-drafted prospect, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. Once again, the Boston Celtics (who have five picks in the second round) could be a likely destination for the 23-year-old.

Honourable Mentions

Dyshawn Pierre (Senior) — Dayton 

Pierre is a small forward prospect who averaged 11.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 48 per cent overall and 39 per cent from behind the arc in four seasons for the Dayton Flyers. Although the Whitby, Ont., native's overall shooting averages have dropped every season in college, Chad Ford's draft evaluation still lists the six-foot-six, 210-pound Canadian as a likely "three-and-D" prospect. That's mostly because Pierre showed an impressive improvement in shooting consistency during pre-draft workouts. Known as an excellent rebounder with an NBA ready body that projects well defensively, Pierre should land a spot in the NBA Summer League where he can look to play his way either into either a D-League or NBA roster spot.  

Stefan Jankovic (Junior) — Hawaii

Jankovic announced in late March his intentions to forgo his final season of eligibility with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and enter this year's NBA draft. A former Missouri Tiger, the Mississauga, Ont., native averaged 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season while also shooting 54 per cent from the field and 39 per cent from behind the arc. Those numbers made him the Big West Conference Player of the Year. According to Bleacher Report's Tyler Conway, the six-foot-11 stretch forward's long-range sharpshooting projects well into today's professional game, but Jankovic's lack of athleticism and strength casts doubt on his ability to defend at the NBA level. In all likelihood, the Canadian will  either contend for a D-League spot during this off-season's NBA Summer League or go overseas.