NCAAB
Jordan Ramsay
March 17, 2025

2025 March Madness Odds: Canadians to watch at the NCAA Tournament

March Madness is back and several Canadians are expected to play big parts on their respective teams.

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament tips-off Tuesday with the First Four, followed by the Round of 32 on Thursday and Friday. The Final Four is set for April 5, setting up the title game on April 7 in San Antonio, Texas.

We’re taking a look at five Canadians who have a chance to be standouts at this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Don’t forget to check us out for complete college basketball game odds, futures and specials/props.

Ryan Nembhard – No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs

A senior point guard, Aurora, Ontario’s Ryan Nembhard has been one of the best passers in the NCAA this season and he has a solid shot to be selected in this year’s draft and join his brother, Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, in the NBA. He’s averaging 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and an elite 9.8 assists per game.

Nembhard has a great blend of scoring ability mixed with high level distribution skills. He’s one of only three guards with at least 12 double-doubles this season and he’s the only guard who has recorded those double-doubles through points and assists rather than points and rebounds.

Entering his third straight NCAA Tournament, Nembhard will be a key piece of a Gonzaga team that always attracts a lot of attention during March Madness.

Will Riley – No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini

Kitchener, Ontario’s Will Riley has lived up to the hype in his freshman season after coming in as a five-star recruit. Riley has been impressive on both ends of the floor, averaging 12.6 points. 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and he’s Illinois’ second-leading scorer despite starting just seven of 33 games this season.

Riley’s length and athleticism helps him find space on the floor and he’s been particularly good from mid-range. While his three-point shooting (32.1 per cent) hasn’t been outstanding, he more than makes up for that with his scoring instincts and his two-way ability.

Emanuel Sharp – No. 1 Houston Cougars

Emanuel Sharp was born in Tampa, Florida, but he remains eligible to play for Canada internationally because of his mother, Justine Ellison Sharp, who is from Hamilton, Ontario. Justine was named national university women’s athlete of the year in 1995-96 and was inducted into the University of Toronto Varsity Blues hall of fame in 2009.

The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree, as Emanuel Sharp has been a key piece of Houston’s success this season, averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Sharp has been a lethal shooter, hitting 43 per cent of attempts from beyond the arc and 89 per cent from the line.

The Cougars are a No. 1 seed for a reason and they should go deep in this tournament, so you’ll see plenty of Sharp over the next few weeks.

Aden Holloway – No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide

Aden Holloway transferred from Auburn to Alabama and it’s been a solid sophomore season for Holloway with the Crimson Tide. Although born in North Carolina, Holloway holds dual citizenship through his Calgary-born mother Robin Raimey, while his grandfather is CFL Hall-of-Famer Dave Raimey.

Holloway is averaging 11.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 21 minutes per game playing off the bench. His playmaking and scoring versatility make him a key asset for Alabama and his shooting splits of 46.6 per cent from the field and 41.7 per cent from beyond the arc should help the No. 2-seed Crimson Tide make a deep run.

Josh Omojafo – No. 15 Robert Morris Colonials

Hamilton, Ontario native Josh Omojafo is one of the feel-good stories coming into this year’s March Madness. Omojafo was playing Division II basketball at Gannon University just last year and he’s now the starting point guard for Robert Morris, averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest.

Consistency has been key for Omojafo, who has scored in double-digits 21 times this season. The 15-seeded Colonials have a tough first round matchup against No. 2 Alabama in the East Region on Friday, but it will be a great showcase of Canadian talent on both teams.