Canadian representation at NBA All-Star

Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks attempts to move past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Team Canada at NBA All-Star? Let us dream for a second.

NBA All-Star 2026 is almost here, and it’s coming with a bit of a remix. This year’s showcase in Los Angeles will use a new USA vs. World setup: two U.S. teams and one World team playing a round-robin mini-tournament with four 12-minute games total.

And now that fan voting has officially closed, it’s time to talk about who might start the game. It wasn’t all that long ago when Canadian hoop fans were hoping for one all-star, let alone a handful — and let alone a starter. With the bevy of Canadian talent in the league, one can make an argument that you can have an all-star starting lineup full of talent from up north.

So let’s do it. Let’s do what Canadian hoops fans do best: overthink lineups, argue about roles, and build a five-man unit that would absolutely cook in an All-Star environment.

So here it is — a fantasy all-Canadian starting five built for pace, shot creation, and enough edge to make the other side feel every possession.

The all-Canadian starting all-star five

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder

This is easy: SGA is the headliner, the tone-setter, the guy the whole building knows is getting to his spot. He’s putting up 31.6 points per game and doing it with that calm, surgical efficiency that makes defenders look like they’re guessing on a multiple-choice test.

The best part? It’s not empty calories — OKC (36-7) has been rolling, and he’s the engine behind it.

Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets

Murray next to SGA is just unfair. You’re getting another guard who can run the show, punish switches, and turn a normal possession into a “why did we let him get that look?” moment.

Stat-wise, he’s been humming at 25.8 points and 7.5 assists per game, which is exactly what you want from your co-pilot: scoring pressure plus playmaking that keeps everyone fed.

Also, can we stop for a second and pay attention to what he’s done without Jokic in the lineup? The dude has upped his averages to 28.7 points, 10.0 assists, 5.2 boards while shooting 40.4 percent from 3.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Atlanta Hawks

Every star-heavy lineup needs the glue guy who doesn’t hijack the offense — but still makes the defense pay for ignoring him. NAW fits perfectly because he can defend up a position, move the ball quickly, and slide into open space without killing the rhythm.

And this season, he’s not just a role player: he’s at 20.5 points per game with enough scoring pop to make “leaving him” a bad idea.

Dillon Brooks | Phoenix Suns

Dillon Brooks is averaging 21.1 points per game with the Phoenix Suns

Every fantasy All-Star team sounds fun until someone has to guard the other team’s best wing for three straight possessions. That’s where Brooks comes in, bringing the edge, the talk, and the “yeah, I’m picking you up full court in an exhibition” energy.

The kicker: he’s producing like a legit offensive option too, sitting at 20.7 points per game — meaning you’re not sacrificing scoring to get the defense and attitude.

Shaedon Sharpe | Portland Trail Blazers

All-Star games are made for athletes who can turn a simple leak-out into a highlight that lives on your group chat forever. Sharpe is that guy — explosive, fearless, and built for the “give me the ball and move” moments when defenses start jogging.

He’s also not just vibes: he’s at 21.8 points per game, so the burst comes with real production.

How it plays (and why it works):

This five is nasty because it’s flexible. SGA and Murray can alternate as the primary ball handler, which means you never have to park one guy in the corner and “hope he stays warm.” NAW is the swing piece who can guard, cut, and keep the ball popping. Brooks takes the toughest wing assignment and sets the emotional thermostat. And Sharpe is your pressure release — when a possession bogs down, toss it to him and let the athleticism solve it.

Offensively, it’s a steady diet of two-guard creation with constant driving lanes. SGA gets downhill, Murray pulls help with the threat of a pull-up, and suddenly you’ve got NAW spotting up, Brooks crashing in at the right time, and Sharpe flying in from the weak side like it’s a dunk contest audition. (By the way, Shaedon, we’d love to see you in the dunk contest, my friend)

Defensively, it’s even more fun. You can throw Brooks and NAW at the other team’s wings, keep SGA in the passing lanes, and live with the chaos. In a short All-Star format where games are only 12 minutes, a couple of forced turnovers and run-outs can swing everything fast — and this group has the tools to create those bursts.

Honorable mention: RJ Barrett

If this were a wider roster instead of a five-man fantasy, Barrett’s name is right there. He’s been at 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, which is absolutely in the conversation.

The only reason he’s on the outside looking in for this specific exercise: availability. Missing time makes it harder to slot him cleanly ahead of guys who’ve been consistently in the mix night after night.

Bottom line: Canada’s not just producing NBA players anymore — it’s producing roles. Stars. Closers. Dogs. Athletes. Connectors. And if the World team concept has you daydreaming, you’re not alone — because an all-Canadian five like this? That’s not just a fun idea. That’s a problem.