Old school or new school? Small conference or major conference? Canadian born or foreign born but Canadian raised? These are the questions your faithful writer had to ponder in compiling this list of the greatest Canadian NCAA b-ball players of all time. After countless hours of research, blood, sweat and tears, I have whittled the list down to the top 10 plus a few honorable mentions. These lists are always bound to cause debates among the masses, so enjoy!

The 6’10” Newton lived every Canadian (or American for that matter) players dream and went and played in the college basketball capital of the world, Durham, North Carolina. His career started off on a high note with the Grant Hill-lead Blue Devils making it to the NCAA title game in 1994. His next season was a bad one – with him getting suspended part of the way through the season due to academic problems. He hit the books and ended on a strong note, averaging 12 points and 8 boards his next season and 10 and 6 his senior year. His senior season he served as team captain, led the team in rebounding and onto a #8 final ranking in the polls. He finished his college days ranked in the top 15 in career block shots at the school. After graduating he went on to a solid career for the Canadian National team and for various teams in Europe. The Niagara Falls, Ontario native will be playing this fall in Italy.

Big Bill, from Montreal, was the starting center for the Redmen team that made it to the Final Four in 1985. That season he was 3^rd on the team in scoring, 2^nd in boards and 1^st in blocks. He finished with career averages of 8.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. The 7 footer was selected # 16 overall in the 1985 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks and went on to play 13 years in the league. He was a member of the 3 NBA championship Bulls teams from 96-98 and now serves as a color commentator for the team. He also had the honor of being inducted in the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame this year.

The Montreal native finished his NCAA career as the leading Canadian scorer of all time. He also ranks at the #2 spot on the Niagara all time list, behind basketball Hall of Fame member Calvin Murphy. He was the 2005 MAAC player of the year, with averages of 23.5 points, 10.6 boards and 2.1 blocks per game. He was passed over in this year’s NBA draft so he will be starting his pro career in Europe, possibly in Italy.

The pride of Winnipeg, Manitoba had a stellar NCAA career with the Huskies. He currently stands in the 4^th position on the Canadian all time scorer list and lead the NCAA in field goal % his last 3 years in college. He is also tied for 5^th on the all time NCAA career field goal list, shooting at a 66.4 % clip. His career averages of 15.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 swats were good enough to get him picked by Philadelphia in the 2^nd round of the 1999 NBA draft. He played in the NBA finals with the 76ers in 2001 and again with the Nets in 2002. A rare nerve disorder ended his career after only 4 years and he currently works as a color commentator for the 76ers’ radio broadcasts.

Toronto’s Big Cat finished his Wildcat career as their all time block leader with 268. He played in back to back NCAA championship games, winning the title in 1998 where he had 3 swats in the final game. He ended his Kentucky career as a member of its 1000-point club, with averages of 7.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. He also is 5^th on the NCAA all time list in career games played with 145. He was drafted in the 1^st round of the 2000 NBA draft by the Hornets where he has gone on to earn all-star honors.

It is hard to believe that the reigning NBA MVP only had 1 scholarship offer coming out of high school in Victoria, B.C. The South African born, Canadian raised Nash proved many people wrong by excelling on the NCAA level. He was the WCC player of the year twice (95 & 96) and led the Broncos to 2 first round NCAA upset wins – 1993 over #2 Arizona and 1996 over Maryland when he went 17-17 from the foul line. He ranks in the top 5 in points, assists and steals in school history, ranks #1 in double-doubles with 37 and had a 40 point game in 1995 versus Gonzaga. As most readers know he has gone on to elevate his game even higher in the pro ranks, earning all star, all league and MVP honors throughout the years.

Fox was born in Toronto, raised in the Bahamas and went to high school in Indiana. However, he didn’t forget his Canadian roots, starring for the National Team for many years. In 1991 he led the Tar Heels in scoring and steals and the team made it to the Final Four where he made the All East Regional Team. He never missed a game in his college career (140) and graduated as North Carolina’s all time theft leader with 197. He also is in 5^th spot on the all time Canadian scorers list. He had a solid 13 year career in the NBA, winning 3 titles with the Lakers from 2000-2002.

The Montreal born Vandeweghe earned All American honors 3 straight seasons (1947-1949) at Colgate. He is the only All-American basketball player in the school’s history. He finished with 1404 points for a career average of 19.7 points per game. He played 6 seasons in the NBA with the Knicks including 1951-1953 when the team played (but lost) in 3 straight NBA Finals. The 6’3” guard’s NBA career ended after the 1956 season.

Houbregs was born in Vancouver, B.C. but at the age of 6 moved down to the state of Washington. He is the only Canadian born player to ever win the NCAA player of the year award, which he received in 1953. He was also an All-American player in 1952. In his senior year at Washington he averaged 25.6 points and 11.5 boards and lead the team to a Final Four appearance and 3^rd place finish. He was voted onto the Final Four all tournament team in 1953 when he averaged an astounding 34.8 points per game throughout the tournament. He is a member of the basketball Hall of Fame and is the 3^rd all time Canadian NCAA scorer.

Before Steve Nash burst onto the scene, Rautins was considered Canada’s greatest all time basketball player. He is still the youngest player to ever make the country’s National Team when he laced them up at the age of 16. He also still is considered (at least in my eyes) as its greatest NCAA player. The Toronto native started off his collegiate career at Minnesota where he put up solid numbers in his freshman year: 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He then transferred to basketball powerhouse Syracuse where he really blossomed. His sophomore season he put up solid numbers again: 9.3 points, 5.4 boards and 3.6 assists per game. He really turned it on his junior year, leading the team in assists (5.2 per game) – which is amazing considering he is a 6’8” forward. He also put up 13.3 points and 5.9 boards per game, once again showing his versatility. His senior year brought him All-American honors when he averaged 14.2 points per game and lead the Orangemen in rebounds (7.3) AND assists (6.2). His assist average that year is the 8^th highest in school history. Despite only playing 3 years at Syracuse, he is a member of its 1000 point club and ranks 7^th all time in career assists. In 2000 he was voted onto the school’s All Century team. The 1983 NBA 1^st round draft pick ended up only playing 32 games over 2 seasons in the league. He went on to play 7 seasons in Europe before being forced to retire in 1992 after having his 14^th knee surgery. He is currently Canada’s National Team coach and his son, Andy, is a freshman on the Syracuse basketball team.

Phil Dixon – Utah – 1990-1994

Kevin Jobity – Niagara – 1996-1999

Carl English – Hawaii – 2000-2003

Lars Hansen – Washington – 1973-1976

Michael Meeks – Canisius – 1993-1996

Greg Francis – Fairfield – 1994-1997