Canadian universities don’t participate in March Madness. But some of Canada’s best collegiate hoopers do.
If you’re filling out a bracket, you probably already have a rooting interest in the NCAA tournament. But why not add to that by cheering on some local talent?
Here are the four Canadian March Madness players that bettors need to know about before the NCAA tournament begins.
Canadian March Madness players
Ryan Nembhard
Team: Gonzaga Bulldogs
Hometown: Aurora, Ontario
PPG: 10.8 | RPG: 3.1 | APG: 9.8
Last year, in his first season with Gonzaga, Nembhard paced the West Coast Conference in assists per game (6.9).
He’s outdone himself this year, leading all of NCAA Division I in that category (9.8).
Nembhard is a familiar face for March Madness fans, as he played into the second weekend of the tournament in both previous seasons (first with Creighton, then with Gonzaga).
Despite nabbing another WCC tournament title this year — their 11th in the past 13 seasons — the Zags enter the tournament as an 8-seed. That’s their worst seeding since the 2015-16 season.
If Nembhard and Gonzaga survive an all-Bulldog battle in the first round against Georgia, a daunting test against the No. 1 Houston Cougars awaits.
Will Riley
Team: Illinois Fighting Illini
Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario
PPG: 12.5 | RPG: 4.1 | 2PT%: 50.2
The true freshman earned Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honours in 2024-25, following in the footsteps of players like Aaron Wiggins, Duncan Robinson and, once upon a time, Draymond Green.
After stellar production off the bench, Riley earned a starting gig in late February and hasn’t given it up.
In his past five games, the 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting a clean 50.0% from the floor.
No. 6 Illinois is on the opposite end of the Midwest Region from No. 8 Gonzaga, so an Elite Eight showdown between two of Canada’s best is possible (albeit unlikely).
Josh Omojafo
Team: Robert Morris Colonials
Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario
PPG: 11.4 | RPG: 3.8 | FT% 81.4
Unlike Nembhard and Riley, who were four and five-star high school recruits, respectively, Omojafo took an unheralded route to the March Madness spotlight.
The 6-foot-5 guard spent his first two collegiate seasons with D-II Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Gannon went 3-23 in Omojafo’s first season before a remarkable turnaround in Year 2 — a 32-3 record and a D-II Elite Eight appearance, with Omojafo leading the way at 20.0 PPG.
He transferred to Robert Morris for the 2024-25 season and became an instant asset.
Omojafo had a game-high 24 points in RMU’s Horizon League conference title game, which secured the March Madness berth.
If the 15th-seeded Colonials are going to shock the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide, expect Omojafo to be at the centre of it.
Canadian March Madness players to watch: Michael Nwoko
Team: Mississippi State Bulldogs
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
PPG: 6.3 | RPG: 4.6 | BPG: 0.8
Nwoko doesn’t often light up the box score, but he’s a starting big who knows how to throw down a powerhouse slam.
The Miami (FL) transfer had 10 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks earlier this season against Kentucky, so he’s capable of showing out in a marquee matchup.
No. 8 Mississippi State faces the No. 9 Baylor Bears in the first round. If the Bulldogs get through that, the Cooper Flagg-led Duke Blue Devils are on deck.
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.