20 Canadians locked in for 2025 NCAA men’s March Madness tournament

The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament arrives in an era of unprecedented change in collegiate sports. The landscape has shifted dramatically due to NIL deals, the ever-growing transfer portal, and realignment across major conferences.

These changes have forced head coaches to adapt, leading to mid-season resignations and shakeups in power programs. However, they’ve also created a level of parity rarely seen in the sport, as evidenced by one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.

For Canadian players, the impact has been just as significant. A record 170 Canadians suited up across 127 teams during 2024-25, further solidifying the country’s growing influence at the NCAA level.

But when the dust settled, just 20 players from 18 teams earned a coveted spot in March Madness—the lowest total since 2011 and one fewer than last year, far from the record 30 who made it in 2022.

Unlike recent years—when Zach Edey dominated headlines and collected back-to-back National Player of the Year awards—the current field lacks major individual accolades for Canadian standouts.

Instead, depth and key contributors defined the 2024–25 campaign, with 34 Canadians averaging double figures in scoring and 61 playing significant minutes (20+ per game). Heading into the Big Dance, seven Canadians are averaging double digits, and fifteen are playing at least 16.5 minutes per contest.

This year’s field is historically deep, highlighted by dominant conference performances and surprising turnarounds. The SEC leads all leagues with a record 14 teams earning bids, followed by the Big Ten (8), Big 12 (7), Big East (5), ACC (4), Mountain West (4), and West Coast Conference (2).

St. John’s resurgence under legendary coach Rick Pitino saw them claim their first Big East title in decades, marking one of the season’s most compelling storylines.

Of the 31 automatic bids, ten teams featuring Canadian players secured their spots by winning conference championships. Another eight programs with Canadians earned at-large selections, underscoring their impact across college basketball’s competitive landscape.

The East Region boasts the highest concentration of Canadian talent, with seven of the 20 players competing on the sport’s biggest stage. The Midwest Region follows closely with six, setting up intriguing matchups across the bracket.

Seven seniors, including three graduate students, will cap their collegiate careers with a shot at one last shining moment. Five freshmen will experience March Madness for the first time, joining four sophomores and four juniors.

Among the first-year players, Will Riley (Illinois) emerged as the most impactful, leading all Canadian freshmen in scoring. Despite playing a limited role, Jovan Milicevic (New Mexico) appeared in all 32 games, averaging 4.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12 minutes per contest.

Meanwhile, three Canadian freshmen redshirted: Olivier Rioux (Florida), Oliver Faubert (Saint Mary’s), and Kevin Alabi (Alabama State), none of whom saw game action.

As the tournament tips off, Canada’s presence in March Madness remains strong. With 20 Canadians across 18 teams, this group will look to make a lasting impact, continuing Canada’s growing basketball legacy on the NCAA’s grandest stage.

Emanuel Sharp – No. 1 Houston Cougars (30-4, Big 12 Champions)

No team has won more games in college basketball over the past six seasons than Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars, who have amassed 211 wins since 2018. The Cougars once again enter March Madness as a top seed for the third straight year after capturing the Big 12 Championship in dominant fashion.

At the heart of Houston’s success stands junior guard Emanuel Sharp, an Israeli-born, American-Canadian six-foot-three sharpshooter making his third NCAA Tournament appearance. Sharp has evolved into a key contributor for the Cougars, registering significant minutes (26.9 per game) while providing consistent offensive production and defensive tenacity.

The numbers tell the story of Sharp’s efficiency and reliability. Averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, he’s been particularly lethal as a shooter. Sharp has connected on 43% of his three-point attempts (74-of-173) and an impressive 89% from the free-throw line (89-of-100), establishing himself among the NCAA’s most efficient marksmen.

Sharp’s game has reached another level entering tournament play. His outstanding performance in the Big 12 Tournament earned him MVP honours after a remarkable three-game stretch. The rugged guard scored 19 points against Colorado, erupted for a season-high 27 against BYU, and added 17 more in the championship victory over Arizona – performances that secured his spot on the 2024 All-Big 12 Tournament Team.

This isn’t Sharp’s first tournament success story. Last March, he delivered on the big stage, pouring in a career-high 30 points during Houston’s Round of 32 win over Texas A&M. Though he faced tougher sledding against Duke’s elite defence in the following round, that experience has only fuelled his development. Now, with momentum at his back and tournament experience in his arsenal, Sharp appears poised to lead Houston on another deep championship run.

Ryan Nembhard – No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-8, WCC Champions)

The Aurora, Ontario native has cemented himself as one of college basketball’s elite point guards, leading Gonzaga to its 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The six-foot floor general has been a masterful playmaker, averaging 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and an impressive 9.8 assists per game while shooting efficiently across the board (44.4% FG, 39.3% 3PT, 76.5% FT).

What sets Nembhard apart is his exceptional distribution skills. The senior standout has posted 12 double-doubles during his final collegiate campaign, all featuring points and assists—a rare feat, as most double-doubles come from points and rebounds. Among the 28 players with more double-doubles than Nembhard, only two are listed as guards, and neither recorded theirs through assists.

Nembhard’s 9.8 assists per game and 325 total dimes have shattered the all-time Canadian NCAA record, highlighting his elite court vision and decision-making. Averaging 35 minutes per contest underscores how indispensable the Bulldogs’ all-time assist leader has been for the West Coast Conference (WCC) champions.

Playing in his third straight March Madness, the crafty point guard’s leadership will be instrumental in Gonzaga’s quest for a deep tournament run. His record-breaking season has solidified Nembhard as not only the top Canadian distributor in college basketball but also one of the most impactful point guards in the game.

Will Riley – No. 6 Illinois Fightin Illini (21-12, Big Ten at-large)

One of Canada’s most hyped freshmen, Will Riley has transformed from a promising prospect into a legitimate star during his debut NCAA season. The Kitchener, Ontario product has delivered on the considerable expectations, posting impressive numbers of 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while appearing in all 33 contests with seven starts.

Riley’s collegiate career began with a bang, setting the Illinois freshman record for points in a debut with an explosive 31-point performance against Eastern Illinois on November 4. This spectacular introduction earned him his first of three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honours (November 11, February 3, February 10).

At six-foot-eight, Riley’s combination of length, athleticism, and shooting touch has made him a match-up nightmare for opponents. Though his three-point percentage (32.1%) shows room for growth, his overall field goal efficiency (42.9%) demonstrates solid shot selection and finishing ability.

Peaking at the perfect time for the Fighting Illini’s tournament run, Riley has reached double figures in 12 of his last 13 games, averaging an impressive 16.3 points during this stretch. With 21 double-digit scoring performances and five 20-point games overall, his scoring consistency has become a cornerstone of Illinois’ offence.

The freshman’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by the conference or NBA scouts. Riley was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, recognizing his ability to provide instant offence and energy off the bench. His combination of current production and future potential has him projected as a first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.

As Illinois aims to advance past the first weekend of the tournament, Riley’s continued hot streak could be the difference-maker. His scoring instincts, defensive versatility, and increasing confidence make him not just a complementary piece but a potential X-factor in the Fighting Illini’s pursuit of a deep March run.

Aden Holloway – No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (25-8, SEC at-large)

The six-foot-one Charlotte-born guard has been a dynamic presence for Alabama all season after transferring from Auburn, contributing to one of the SEC’s most explosive offences.

Holloway’s ability to score in bunches, stretch the floor and create for teammates has been instrumental in the Crimson Tide’s success, with averages of 11.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while maintaining impressive shooting splits of 46.6% from the field, 41.7% from beyond the arc and nearly 80% accuracy from the free-throw line.

Alabama enters March Madness slightly banged up, having dropped five of their last ten games in the wild SEC conference, but remains a dangerous at-large selection aiming for another Final Four run. The sophomore’s playmaking and scoring versatility make him a key piece in coach Nate Oats’ high-powered system and will be essential to their deep tournament push.

Keeshawn Barthelemy – No. 8 Oregon Ducks (24-9, Big Ten at-large)

Under head coach Dana Altman, the Oregon Ducks have been a staple in the NCAA Tournament since 2013. A proven NBA talent developer, Altman has given Canadian players and fans the opportunity to experience their “One Shining Moment,” with past standouts like Devoe Joseph, Dillon Brooks, Chris Boucher, Quincy Guerrier, and a host of others. Now, Keeshawn Barthelemy looks to add his name to that legacy.

The Montreal native has seen his role expand over his three seasons under Altman, playing a career-high 28 minutes per game. The six-foot-two guard is having his best collegiate campaign, averaging 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. A much-improved outside shooter, Barthelemy has connected on a career-best 60-of-144 (41.7%) three-point attempts while shooting 42.4% from the field overall (117-of-276). The senior appeared in 33 games this season, earning 12 starts.

Finally healthy after an injury-limited 2022-23 campaign in which he played just 18 games, the veteran guard brings valuable experience to the Ducks’ backcourt. Making his third NCAA Tournament appearance, Barthelemy’s scoring punch and defensive intensity will be critical factors as Oregon looks to make a deep run as a formidable No. 8 seed.

Kyler Filewich – No. 15 Wofford Terriers (19-4, Southern Champions)

Flying under the radar for most of his career, the senior big man is finally getting his shot on the national stage. Filewich played a pivotal role in leading Wofford to the Southern Conference title and an automatic bid to the tournament with impressive averages of 11.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

The Winnipeg native was a dominant force in the paint, averaging a near double-double while leading all Canadians in total rebounds for the 2024-25 campaign. His combination of size, strength, and passing ability (3.1 assists per game) makes Filewich one of the most unique frontcourt players in this year’s bracket.

Shooting an efficient 57.6% from the field, the six-foot-nine center has been a model of consistency for the Terriers. Logging 27.1 minutes per game demonstrates how vital the big man has been to Wofford’s unexpected run to March Madness.

Despite his success, Filewich holds the dubious distinction of having the worst career free-throw percentage among Canadians who have played NCAA basketball and attempted at least 300 free throws, making just 37% (143-386) from the charity stripe. These struggles led him to adopt an underhand “granny-style” shooting technique, which has shown modest improvement in his final college season.

Josh Omojafo – No. 15 Robert Morris – (26-8, Horizon Champions)

It’s hard to find a better feel-good Canadian story than that of Omojafo. Just a year ago, the Hamilton, Ontario native was playing Division II basketball at Gannon University. Now, he finds himself as the starting point guard for Robert Morris, playing a key role in their Horizon League title run with averages of 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest.

The six-foot-five junior guard has been a consistent performer, scoring in double figures in 21 games this season. Omojafo delivered when it mattered most, scoring a career-high 27 points with seven rebounds to secure the regular season title, then following it up with a dominant 24-point, 13-rebound double-double in the Horizon League championship game to booked the Colonials’ ticket to the Big Dance.

Using his experience from last year, where he led Gannon to the Division II Elite Eight, Omojafo’s poise and leadership will be essential as Robert Morris looks to pull off a first-round upset. His efficient shooting (44.2% FG, 38.4% 3PT) and versatility have made him an invaluable addition to the Colonials. Playing 30 minutes per game and connecting on 81.4% of his free throws, the Canadian has proven to be a reliable closer in tight games for the Horizon League champions.

20 Canadians in the 2025 NCAA men’s March Madness tournament

With twenty Canadians officially set to take the stage at the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the excitement surrounding this year’s March Madness is at an all-time high. As these players look to make their mark, Canadian basketball continues to rise, proving that the country’s pipeline of talent is stronger than ever.

The impressive performances from established stars like Emanuel Sharp and Ryan Nembhard, coupled with the emergence of newcomers like Will Riley, showcase the depth and diversity of Canadian basketball talent. From sharpshooting guards to dominant big men, these athletes are ready to leave their mark on college basketball’s biggest stage.

While the total number of Canadians may have dipped slightly from recent years, the quality remains exceptional. Players like Kobe Elvis (Oklahoma), Jalen Celestine (Baylor), Michael Nwoko (Mississippi State) and Justin Rochelin (UC-San Diego) will also be key contributors for their respective programs as the madness of March unfolds.

2024-25 Canadian NCAA men’s basketball stats tracker – Per game (March Madness)