Last night, Marial Shoyak made history becoming the first Ottawa player to ever be drafted into the NBA. The Iowa State product and former St. Pat’s student was selected 54th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers at last night’s NBA Draft.
He is the second player from the capital region to be drafted into the NBA. Aylmer’s Olivier Hanlan, who is currently playing overseas, was selected 42nd overall in the 2015 draft by the Utah Jazz and was soon after traded to the San Antonio Spurs, winning a G League championship in 2018.
It was a record breaking night for Canada. A record 13 Canadians declared for the NBA Draft with 6 being selected, the most Canadians to be selected in a single NBAdraft.
RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ontario was the first Canadian selected during last night’s NBA draft going 3rd overall to the New York Knicks.
