FRANCE NOW LEADS IN NON-U.S. NBA PLAYERS

TORONTO — Canada is no longer the NBA's biggest source of international talent.

The list of international players released Tuesday shows France with a league-leading 17 players, one more than Canada. Canada had boasted the largest international presence on opening-day rosters for the previous 12 seasons. The 16 Canadians to start 2026-27 represent a drop of nine from last season.

Three teams have two Canadians on their roster: Atlanta (Luguentz Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker), Denver (Jamal Murray, Ryan Nembhard) and Memphis (Zach Edey, Olivier-Maxence Prosper). Two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Oklahoma City Thunder. RJ Barrett is the only Canadian on the Toronto Raptors.

France's contingent is led by superstar forward Victor Wembanyama. The NBA says 125 players, down 10 from last year, from 43 countries are on rosters to start the season.