Canadians to Watch in the Men’s, Women’s NCAA Tournaments

It’s that time of year again. After being canceled last year due to the global pandemic, the NCAA Tournament is back this year.

It will look different. It will feel different. Of course, limited fans will be in attendance. The games aren’t spread out across the United States but rather in the state of Indiana in the Indianapolis area. The players will compete in a bubble environment, adhering to health and safety protocols to avoid contracting COVID-19.

But once the games tip-off, the NCAA Tournament will undoubtedly live up to its “March Madness” name. There will be upsets. Perhaps some buzzer beaters. Brackets will certainly bust.

2021 is once again a landmark year for Canadians in college basketball’s biggest event. 25 Canadians are in the men’s tournament, while four women are in the top four seeds of the women’s event.

In a media availability this week, Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said he knows all the times the Canadians play and will watch intently.

“We have 25 Canadians suiting up this week in the NCAA Tournament, along with our 22 NBA and two-way players. It shows some incredible excitement surrounding young Canadian players playing right now,” Nurse said.

Here is a primer of Canadians to watch in both the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments:

Andrew Nembhard (Gonzaga):

"The amount of talent we have has just increased every year."@ZagMBB's @AndrewNembhard tells North Courts' @JevohnShepherd just how much Canada Basketball has grown 🙌🇨🇦
MORE: https://t.co/rX5Z3abW8N pic.twitter.com/FLnmjkxpca
— CBC Sports (@cbcsports) March 18, 2021

Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Birthplace/Hometown: Aurora, Ontario.
2021 Stats: 2 PPG/2.4 RPG/4.2 APG/47.6 FG%.
Background: Transferred to Gonzaga after two years with the Florida Gators. Played at Vaughan Secondary in Canada before transferring to the Montverde Academy in Florida for high school (same as Cade Cunningham). Represented Team Canada on the National Team. One of the best passers in college basketball, who can move quickly in transition and can shoot with efficiency. His defense has improved this year under Gonzaga head coach Mark Few.
School Seed: 1 seed in the West Region. Gonzaga looking to win its first National Championship in school history and to become the first undefeated team since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers.
First Game: Saturday March 20^th Norfolk State (9:20pm EST).

Chris Duarte (Oregon):

Putting the nation on notice.
Chris Duarte has been selected as an @AP third-team All-American 👏#GoDucks | #AlwaysUs pic.twitter.com/cVYoP0A5Nq
— Oregon Men's Basketball (@OregonMBB) March 16, 2021

Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Birthplace/Hometown: Montreal, Quebec.
2021 Stats: 7 PPG/4.7 RPG/2.3 APG/52.4 FG%.
Background: Earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honours. Played at Northwest Florida State in JUCO before committing to Oregon. Participated in the Jordan Brand Classic in high school, representing Redemption Christian Academy. He’s a strong shooter, who can create plays as a wingman. His on-ball defense is solid, which can lead to forcing turnovers.
School Seed: 7 seed in the West Region.
First Game: Saturday March 20^th VCU (9:57pm EST).

Eugene Omoruyi (Oregon):

Eugene Omoruyi is one of @OregonMBB's toughest soldiers.
Find out more about his story on this week's podcast as we gear up for the NCAA Tournament.
Apple: https://t.co/BQ0JVvVJf6
Spotify: https://t.co/H8tLeDNR19 pic.twitter.com/LeyVQJVdwF
— Mighty Oregon Podcast (@MightyOregonPod) March 17, 2021

Class: Senior
Position: Forward
Birthplace/Hometown: Grew up in Rexdale, Ontario.
2021 Stats: 7 PPG/5.2 RPG/2.2 APG/47.0 FG%.
Background: Played three years at Rutgers before transferring to Oregon. Earned player and defensive player of the year honours with Orangeville Prep, where he led his team to the OSBA Championship. Athletic, versatile player who can rebound, make the right pass, shoot the ball with efficiency and defend. Earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honours in 2021.
School Seed: 7 seed in the West Region.
First Game: Saturday March 20^th VCU (9:57pm EST).

Aaliyah Edwards (UConn):

Aaliyah Mckenzie Edwards 🇨🇦 with the handles and the finish 🔥#BasketballWithoutBorders | #BWB #NBAAllStarWeekend pic.twitter.com/eO7yzeTzBA
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) February 17, 2019

Class: Freshman
Position: Forward
Birthplace/Hometown: Kingston, Ontario.
2021 Stats:7 PPG/5.4 RPG/0.6 APG/70.4 FG%.
Background: Appeared in 24 games with two starts. Represented Canada on the national stage since 2017, playing in 36 games, including 14 on the National team. Led Crestwood Prep to OSBA/NPA/CISAA Championships in 2019. She’s physical on the glass, can rebound in traffic and make plays on the perimeter with her shot selection and passing.
School Seed: 1 seed.
First Game: Sunday March 21^st High Point (8pm EST).

Laeticia Amihere (South Carolina):

Rise up, Laeticia Amihere! 😱 #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/Uv3CDXWpCb
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 1, 2017

Class: Sophomore
Position: Forward
Birthplace/Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario.
2021 Stats:5 PPG/5.2 RPG/1.0 APG/37.2 FG%.
Background: Became the first Canadian woman to dunk in-game. Represented Canada on the national stage at several events, including FIBA U19 World Cup, U16 Americas Cup and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium. Played at King’s Christian Collegiate high school in Milton, Ontario, where she was ranked the second recruit in the 2019 class. Super athletic forward who is versatile and can defend in traffic with her length and wingspan.
School Seed: 1 seed.
First Game: Sunday March 21^st Mercer (6pm EST).

Remaining Canadians in the Men’s NCAA Tournament:

Keon Ambrose-Hylton, Alabama
Malcolm Bailey, Colgate
Keeshawn Barthelemy, Colorado
Jahvon Blair, Georgetown
Maurice Calloo, Oregon State
Max Cheylov, UC Santa Barbara
Brandon Cyrus, UC Santa Barbara
Okay Djamgouz, Drake
Zach Edey, Purdue
Quincy Guerrier, Syracuse
Nathanael Jack, Florida State
Matey Juric, Drexel
Elijah Lufile, Oral Roberts
Liam McChesney, Utah State
Sean Miller-Moore, Grand Canyon
Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, Oklahoma State
Gabe Osabuohien, West Virginia
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Clemson
Joshua Primo, Alabama
Victor Radocaj, Eastern Washington
Sam Thomson, Colgate
Aher Uguak, Loyola Chicago