Closing the talent gap in Basketball
Is Canada getting better at basketball?
Canada has made significant strides in recent years in terms of the number of players playing Division 1 basketball in the United States, but there is still a significant gap between Canada and the United States in this area.
According to data from the NCAA, there were 145 Canadian men's basketball players on Division 1 rosters during the 2020-2021 season. While this is a significant increase from previous years (there were just 61 Canadian players on Division 1 rosters in 2010 and 30 in 1990), it still represents a small fraction of the total number of Division 1 players, the vast majority of whom are from the United States.
In contrast, there were over 4,500 men's basketball players on Division 1 rosters during the 2020-2021 season who were U.S. citizens. This means that Canadian players still represent less than 4% of all Division 1 players.
That being said, there are some signs that Canada is making progress in closing the talent gap with the United States. In recent years, Canada has produced a number of high-profile NBA players, including Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray, and RJ Barrett, who have helped raise the profile of Canadian basketball on the international stage. Additionally, Canada has invested in grassroots basketball programs and coaching development, with the goal of improving the overall skill level of Canadian basketball players.
While there is still a significant gap between Canada and the United States in terms of the number of players playing Division 1 basketball, Canada's recent progress suggests that this gap may continue to narrow in the coming years.
There are several possible reasons for the minuscule closure of the talent gap between Canada and the United States in terms of the number of players playing Division 1 basketball. Having said that perhaps the measure should no longer be just how many players are in Division 1, perhaps it is time to take into consideration players in Division 2, 3, NIT and G-League.
We believe the following factors come into play when addressing the continued talent gap in Canadian basketball.
Increased investment in grassroots basketball: In recent years, there has been a concerted effort in Canada to invest in grassroots basketball programs, with the goal of improving the overall skill level of young players. This investment has included funding for coaching development, facilities upgrades, and other initiatives aimed at improving the quality of basketball at the youth level. The Steve Nash and Jr NBA programs are signs that Canada Basketball are making investments in the right places.
Better exposure to high-level competition: Canadian basketball players are now being exposed to high-level competition at a younger age, thanks in part to increased investment in grassroots basketball programs. This exposure to elite competition can help players develop their skills and prepare them for the demands of Division 1 basketball. A significant investment by Basketball Canada in development teams that compete across North America would pay dividends.
Greater emphasis on player development: In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on player development in Canada, with many coaches and trainers focusing on improving individual skills such as shooting, ballhandling, and defense. This emphasis on individual skill development can help players become more well-rounded and better prepared to compete at the next level.
Increased visibility of Canadian basketball: The success of Canadian NBA players such as Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray, and RJ Barrett has helped raise the profile of Canadian basketball on the international stage. This increased visibility can attract more attention to Canadian basketball players and make them more appealing to Division 1 coaches and recruiters.
These 4 items are not all inconclusive, there are many more investments that need to be made including; continued investment in coaching and an equal investment in referring. Canada Basketball is on the right path they just need to now double down and focus on increasing development of players and coaches early. The next 5 years are critically important as in order to keep on trend we would need to see approximately 290 players in the Division 1 ranks.