When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, he became the 26th Canadian taken in the draft since 1983 and the eighth lottery pick to hail from Canada in the history of the draft .
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In the eight months since, the Hamilton native has started in 45 of the Clippers 54 games, averaging 10.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game; his performance has been a big reason that LA has remained in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race with less than 30 games remaining in the season.
His play has also earned him a spot on Team World in this year's Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte. In addition to impressive numbers, the rookie has provided plenty of impressive numbers and highlights.
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On the heels of a 14-point, seven-rebound, five-assist performance in a historic comeback win in Detroit, Gilgeous-Alexander made his return home.
In what was his first game in Canada since he was a sophomore in high school four years ago, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Clippers took on the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena – less than an hour away from where the 20-year-old honed his game growing up.
He didn't disappoint.
With over 50 friends and family members in attendance, the Clippers' rookie point guard finished the night with a team-high 19 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal.
Keeping Up With The Canadians 🇨🇦
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) February 4, 2019
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned home on Sunday and put on a show for the @LAClippers!
19 POINTS
5 REBOUNDS
3 ASSISTS
2 BLOCKS
1 STEAL#ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/D9lX6Pecds
Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the few bright spots for the Clippers in the game, as they suffered an 18-point loss to the Raptors. Here's a look at how his homecoming performance compares to that of other Canadian players…
Dillon Brooks
Feb. 4, 2018 – Raptors 101, Grizzlies 86
Brooks: 12 PTS, 5 REB
Brooks, a native of nearby Mississauga, quickly went from a second-round pick to the wing of the Grizzlies' future. In front of a big group of family and friends, Brooks finished with 12 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes of action.
Andrew Wiggins
March 18, 2015 – Raptors 105, Timberwolves 100
Wiggins: 15 PTS (6-for-9 FG), 3 REB
As the second Canadian to ever be selected first overall in the NBA Draft, expectations were high for Andrew Wiggins when he entered the league; he delivered.
In his return to Toronto, Wiggins finished with 15 points and three rebounds, but the Wolves would lose a close five-point decision to the Raptors. He finished his rookie season averaging 16.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 82 games and earned Rookie of the Year honours.
Nik Stauskas
Jan. 28, 2015 – Raptors 119, Kings 102
Stauskas: 8 PTS (3-for-5 FG), 1 STL
Stauskas, another Mississauga native, returned home in January of his rookie year. In a 17-point loss, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2014 draft finished with an efficient eight points and a steal.
Anthony Bennett
Feb. 21, 2014 – Raptors 98, Cavaliers 91
Bennett: 9 PTS (4-for-6 FG), 3 REB
Bennett will forever hold a place in history as he is the first Canadian to be selected first overall in the NBA Draft. It was not until February that he returned to Canada to play, but he delivered a solid nine-point performance off the bench in a narrow Cavs loss.
Jamaal Magloire
Nov. 20, 2000 – Hornets 100, Raptors 64
Magloire: 16 PTS, 8 REB, 3 BLK
Jamaal "Big Cat" Magloire returned to play in his hometown of Toronto early on in his rookie year. In a blowout win, Magloire showed exactly why the Hornets used a first round pick to select him as he finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks off the bench.
Steve Nash
Nov. 14, 1996 – Grizzlies 92, Suns 89
Nash: 17 PTS, 12 AST, 7 REB
Hall of fame point guard Steve Nash, a native of Victoria, BC, made the first start of his storied career in Vancouver.
In just the eighth game of his rookie season, Nash showed signs of things to come later on in his career as he finished the game with 17 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds, but a struggling Suns team failed to get the win over the Grizzlies, who were also struggling at the time.
Nash only started once more that season and posted averages of 3.3 points and 2.1 assists over 65 games. Modest numbers compared to his career averages of 14.3 points and 8.5 assists.