The Rise and Future of Canadian NBA Teams in the League
2025-11-04 19:12
Having followed the NBA landscape for over a decade, I've always been fascinated by the unique position Canadian teams occupy in this quintessentially American league. While the recent success of the Toronto Raptors' 2019 championship run has brought renewed attention to Canada's basketball presence, the journey has been anything but straightforward. The Vancouver Grizzlies' relocation to Memphis in 2001 left Toronto as the sole Canadian representative for nearly two decades, creating what many considered an experimental outpost in the NBA's global expansion strategy.
I remember watching the Raptors' early struggles firsthand - those seasons where they barely scraped 20 wins while playing in what felt like a hockey-first market. The transformation has been remarkable. From my perspective, the Raptors' championship wasn't just a fluke; it represented the culmination of strategic team building and capitalizing on the unique advantages of being Canada's only NBA team. The organization leveraged its international appeal to create what I consider one of the most diverse fan bases in professional sports, with Scotiabank Arena regularly drawing crowds from across the GTA and beyond. The economic impact has been substantial too - merchandise sales increased by approximately 47% in the year following their championship, and television viewership across Canada shattered previous records with nearly 8 million viewers tuning in for the clinching game.
The recent addition of the Vancouver expansion rumors brings an interesting dynamic to the conversation. While nothing's confirmed, the league's growing global revenue - which reached $8.8 billion last season - makes international expansion increasingly appealing. Personally, I'm bullish about Vancouver's potential return, though the market dynamics have changed dramatically since the Grizzlies' departure. The success of the Toronto franchise has proven that Canadian cities can not only support NBA teams but can become powerhouse markets when managed correctly.
Looking at the broader picture, what excites me most is the development of homegrown Canadian talent. The country has produced an incredible 17 NBA players in the last five years alone, with stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray becoming household names. This talent pipeline, combined with the Raptors' proven championship blueprint, creates what I believe is a perfect storm for sustained Canadian success in the league. The infrastructure is there - from the state-of-the-art OVO Athletic Centre to the growing grassroots basketball programs across Canadian schools.
As someone who's witnessed the entire arc of Canada's NBA journey, I'm convinced we're entering a golden era for basketball north of the border. The Raptors have demonstrated that a Canadian franchise can not only compete but excel at the highest level, while the potential addition of Vancouver could create an intriguing cross-country rivalry. With the league increasingly looking toward international growth and Canadian talent flourishing at unprecedented rates, I predict we'll see Canadian teams becoming permanent fixtures in championship conversations within the next decade. The foundation has been laid, and frankly, the future looks brighter than ever for Canadian basketball in the NBA landscape.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
