Isaiah Canaan (pronounced Cannon; born May 21, 1991) is an American professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player who plays for Crvena zvezda of the

ABA League The ABA League, renamed the ABA League First Division in 2017, is the top-tier regional men's professional basketball league that originally featured clubs from former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedoni ...

and the

EuroLeague The EuroLeague is a European men's professional basketball club competition. The league is widely recognised as the top-tier and the most prestigious men's basketball league in Europe. The league consists of 20 teams, of which 16 are given lon ...

. He was an

All-American The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...

college player at

Murray State University Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, in the Southern United States. In addition to the main campus in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky, Murray State operates extended campuses offering upper-level an ...

College career

Canaan, a 6'0" guard from

Biloxi, Mississippi Biloxi ( ; ) is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, United States. It lies on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast in southern Mississippi, bordering the city of Gulfport, Mississippi, Gulfport to its west. The adjacent cities ar ...

, went to Murray State after leading Biloxi High School to the 5A

Mississippi Mississippi ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the s ...

state championship as a senior. Canaan had an instant impact for the Racers, as he averaged 10.4

points per game Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player or team per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of poi ...

and led the Racers in three-point percentage at .485 as a freshman in the 2009–10 season. He was named 2010

Ohio Valley Conference The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) is a collegiate athletic conference which operates in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It participates in Division I of the NCAA; the conference's football programs compete in partnership with ...

(OVC) freshman of the year as the Racers went 17–1 in OVC play, winning the league. They also won the 2010 OVC tournament. Canaan was named tournament MVP as he scored 16 points off the bench for the Racers in the final. Murray State went on to knock off 4-seeded Vanderbilt in the NCAA tournament, before losing to eventual national runner-up

Butler A butler is a person who works in a house serving and is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments, with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantries, pantr ...

54–52 in the second round. In his sophomore year, Canaan raised his scoring average to 11.7 points per game and was named to the first team All-OVC team. He led the Racers to their second straight OVC regular-season championship. Though they lost in the 2011 OVC tournament, the Racers again went to the postseason in the form of the 2011 National Invitation Tournament. As a junior, Canaan and the Racers had a breakout season. Canaan was named to the preseason All-OVC team. Led by Canaan, Murray State began the season with a school and conference record 23 straight wins. Included was a 2011 Great Alaska Shootout tournament championship, as Canaan was named MVP, scoring 36 in the tournament final. Canaan, the Racers' leading scorer, was named to the finalist lists for the

Bob Cousy Award The Bob Cousy Award, sponsored by the College of the Holy Cross, is an annual basketball award given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the top men's collegiate point guard. It is named after six-time National Basketball Assoc ...

and the Oscar Robertson Award. On February 17, 2018, Murray State retired Canaan's number 3 jersey.

Professional career

Houston Rockets (2013–2015)

Canaan was selected 34th overall in the

2013 NBA draft The 2013 NBA draft was held on June 27, 2013, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including internation ...

by the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

. On July 15, 2013, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Rockets. During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the

NBA Development League The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is a professional basketball league in North America that serves as the developmental league of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league comprises 31 teams; as of the 2024–25 season, ...

. On February 3, 2014, Canaan was named to the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2014 NBA D-League All-Star Game. On November 26, 2014, Canaan scored a career high 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting in the 102–89 win over the Sacramento Kings. Two days later, Cannan left the game against the

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The ...

with a left ankle sprain and didn't return. At the time he left the injury, he was the Rockets leading scorer with 13 points. As a result of the injury, he was required to wear a walking boot and use crutches. After being forced to sit out for a few weeks to heal, he was reassigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on January 11, 2015, while he continued his recovery. On January 26, 2015, he was recalled by the Rockets after averaging 21.0 points, 8.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. Isaiah Canaan Rockets

Philadelphia 76ers (2015–2016)

On February 19, 2015, Canaan was traded, along with a 2015 second-round draft pick, to the

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlan ...

in exchange for K. J. McDaniels. Three days later, he made his debut for the 76ers as the team's starting point guard. In 29 minutes of action, he recorded 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in a 103–98 loss to the Orlando Magic. On March 4, 2015, he recorded career highs of 31 points and eight three-pointers in a 123–118 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. On March 21, 2016, Canaan made three three-pointers against the

Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

, giving him 158 for the 2015–16 season and breaking a tie with

Allen Iverson Allen Ezail Iverson ( ; born June 7, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "The Answer", he played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as both a shooting guard and point guard. As an NBA rook ...

for No. 5 on the franchise's single-season list. On April 8, 2016, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)

On July 20, 2016, Canaan signed with the

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...

. In 2016–17, Canaan appeared in 39 games and averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.56 steals in 15.2 minutes per game. He shot .364 from the field, .266 from three-point range and .909 from the free throw line. Canaan made his first career postseason appearance on April 23, 2017, against the

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...

and logged his first career playoff start on April 26. On June 30, 2017, he was waived by the Bulls.

Return to Houston (2017)

On September 24, 2017, Canaan signed with the

Oklahoma City Thunder The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Confer ...

. He was waived by the Thunder on October 14 after appearing in three preseason games. On October 24, 2017, Canaan signed with the

. He was waived by the Rockets four days later after appearing in one game.

Phoenix Suns (2017–2018)

On December 12, 2017, Canaan was acquired by the

Northern Arizona Suns The Motor City Cruise are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Detroit, and are affiliated with the Detroit Pistons. The Cruise play their home games at Wayne State Fieldhouse. The franchise began play as the Long ...

of the

NBA G League The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is a professional basketball league in North America that serves as the Minor league#Basketball, developmental league of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league comprises 31 teams; as of ...

. The next day, he was called up by the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...

, after Phoenix received an injury hardship exemption. He made his debut with Phoenix on December 16, scoring 15 points and making three game-winning free throws with six seconds left in a 108–106 win over the

Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves (often referred to as the Wolves or T-wolves) are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Divisio ...

. Two days later, he scored 17 points in a 97–91 win over the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

. With seven assists against Minnesota and six against Dallas, Canaan became the first player in Suns history to come off the bench and have at least 15 points and five assists in their first two games with the team. On December 23, 2017, the Suns retained him for the rest of the season. On January 31, 2018, Canaan fractured his left ankle while driving to the rim in the first quarter of their game against the Mavericks. He was subsequently waived by the Suns on February 8. On August 3, 2018, Canaan re-signed with the Phoenix Suns. In the Suns' season opener on October 17, 2018, Canaan got the start at point guard and had eight points, six rebounds and seven assists in a 121–100 win over the

. On November 14, he had 19 points and made all five of his 3-pointers in a 116–96 win over the

San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

. Canaan began the season as the team's starting point guard before coach

Igor Kokoškov Igor Stefan Kokoškov ( sr-Cyrl, Игор Стефан Кокошков; born 17 December 1971) is a Serbian professional basketball coach. He had spent 19 years in the NBA as an assistant coach, with a brief stint as head coach for the Phoenix ...

moved

Devin Booker Devin Armani Booker (born October 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball, ...

to the point and inserted rookie Mikal Bridges into the starting lineup. On November 28, he was waived by the Suns. Kokoškov noted that it "was a business decision" to waive Canaan.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2019)

On January 30, 2019, Canaan signed a 10-day contract with the

. On February 11, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Timberwolves. Following the expiration of his second 10-day contract, the Timberwolves decided not to sign Canaan for the rest of the season.

Milwaukee Bucks (2019)

On February 25, 2019, Canaan signed a 10-day contract with the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

, but was released on March 3.

Stockton Kings (2019–2020)

On August 22, 2019, Canaan signed with Shandong Golden Stars of the CBA. On December 7, 2019, the

Stockton Kings The Stockton Kings are an American professional basketball team of the NBA G League based in Stockton, California, and are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings. The Kings play their home games at the Adventist Health Arena and compete in the G ...

had acquired the returning right of Canaan with a third-round draft pick in the 2020 NBA G League draft from the

Austin Spurs The Austin Spurs are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Cedar Park, Texas, and are affiliated with the San Antonio Spurs. The team plays their home games at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. The team has made the po ...

for the returning rights of Cameron Reynolds and a second-round draft pick in the 2020 NBA G League Draft. Canaan made his Stockton debut on December 13, 2019. On January 19, 2020, Canaan scored 32 points and had six assists in a loss to the Agua Caliente Clippers.

UNICS Kazan (2020–2022)

On July 19, 2020, Canaan signed with UNICS Kazan of the

VTB United League The VTB United League () is an international professional men's club basketball league that was founded in 2009. It is made up of mostly Russian clubs, along with one each from Belarus and Kazakhstan. Since 2013, it is the first tier of Russian ...

and the EuroCup. He averaged 14.2 points and 2.7 assists per game. Canaan re-signed with the team on July 7, 2021. He left the team in early 2022 due to the

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine On 24 February 2022, , starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, conflict between the two countries which began in 2014. The fighting has caused hundreds of thou ...

Galatasaray (2022)

On March 31, 2022, he signed with Galatasaray Nef of the

Basketbol Süper Ligi The Basketball Super League (; TBSL), also known as the Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi for sponsorship reasons, is the top men's professional basketball division of the Turkish basketball league system. It replaced the former Turkish Bas ...

(BSL). During his 12 appearances in Turkish BSL he averaged 11.3 points, 2.2 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game.

Olympiacos (2022–2024)

On 8 July 2022, Canaan signed a two-year (1+1) deal with

Olympiacos Olympiacós Sýndesmos Filáthlon Peiraiós (, Olympic Association of Fans of Piraeus) is a major multi-sport club based in Piraeus, Greece. Olympiacos is parent to a number of different competitive departments which participate in football, ...

of the

Greek Basket League The Greek Basketball League (GBL), and also known as the Stoiximan Greek Basketball League (GBL) for sponsorship reasons, is the Greek basketball league system, first tier level professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by the ...

and the

. On 5 July 2023, Olympiacos picked up the option in their mutual contract and Canaan remained with the club.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Houston Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...

, 22 , , 0 , , 11.5 , , .356 , , .327 , , .724 , , 1.1 , , 1.0 , , .4 , , .2 , , 4.6 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2", , style="text-align:left;",

, 25 , , 9 , , 14.8 , , .405 , , .381 , , .762 , , 1.3 , , 1.2 , , .6 , , , , 6.2 , - , style="text-align:left;",

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, 22 , , 12 , , 25.9 , , .377 , , .364 , , .846 , , 2.5 , , 3.1 , , .7 , , .1 , , 12.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 77 , , 39 , , 25.5 , , .360 , , .363 , , .833 , , 2.3 , , 1.8 , , .7 , , .2 , , 11.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, 39 , , 0 , , 25.5 , , .364 , , .266 , , .909 , , 1.3 , , .9 , , .6 , , .0 , , 4.6 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2", , style="text-align:left;",

, 1 , , 0 , , 4.0 , , , , , , , , 1.0 , , , , , , , , 0.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", Phoenix , 19 , , 1 , , 22.0 , , .382 , , .333 , , .902 , , 2.3 , , 4.0 , , .8 , , .1 , , 9.1 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3", , style="text-align:left;", Phoenix , 19 , , 15 , , 26.5 , , .395 , , .347 , , .750 , , 2.6 , , 3.3 , , .6 , , , , 7.5 , - , style="text-align:left;",

Minnesota Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...

, 7 , , 1 , , 13.5 , , .379 , , .368 , , 1.000 , , .7 , , 2.7 , , .3 , , .1 , , 4.7 , - , style="text-align:left;",

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

, 4 , , 0 , , 7.8 , , .333 , , .400 , , .000 , , 1.0 , , .8 , , , , .3 , , 1.5 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 235 , , 77 , , 20.4 , , .371 , , .351 , , .836 , , 1.9 , , 1.9 , , .6 , , .1 , , 8.1

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;",

2017 2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly. Events January * January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 3 , , 2 , , 31.7 , , .500 , , .357 , , .667 , , 1.3 , , 1.3 , , 1.0 , , , , 11.7 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 3 , , 2 , , 31.7 , , .500 , , .357 , , .667 , , 1.3 , , 1.3 , , 1.0 , , , , 11.7

EuroLeague

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2021–22 , style="text-align:left;", UNICS , 24 , , 2 , , 23.9 , , .410 , , .410 , , .816 , , 1.8 , , 1.3 , , .5 , , .2 , , 11.8 , , 6.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2022–23 , style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2",

, 39 , , 36 , , 16.1 , , .390 , , .382 , , .667 , , 1.0 , , .9 , , .6 , , .1 , , 6.3 , , 3.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2023–24 , style="background:#CFECEC;", 41* , , style="background:#CFECEC;", 41* , , 23.0 , , .462 , , .425 , , .882 , , 1.2 , , 1.4 , , .9 , , .1 , , 11.1 , , 8.4 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 104 , , 79 , , 20.7 , , .426 , , .409 , , .826 , , 1.3 , , 1.2 , , .7 , , .1 , , 9.5 , , 6.2

EuroCup

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2020–21 , style="text-align:left;", UNICS , 24 , , 21 , , 27.0 , , .404 , , .356 , , .944 , , 2.9 , , 3.1 , , .9 , , .0 , , 14.1 , , 12.1 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 24 , , 21 , , 27.0 , , .404 , , .356 , , .944 , , 2.9 , , 3.1 , , .9 , , .0 , , 14.1 , , 12.1

Domestic leagues

{, class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;" ! Year ! Team ! League ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! , - , style="text-align:left;", 2013–14 , , style="text-align:left;", R. G. Valley Vipers , , style="text-align:center;", D-League , , 18 , , 34.0 , , .437 , , .369 , , .811 , , 4.0 , , 8.2 , , .7 , , .2 , , 21.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2014–15 , , style="text-align:left;", R. G. Valley Vipers , , style="text-align:center;", D-League , , 4 , , 35.9 , , .368 , , .349 , , .633 , , 3.5 , , 8.5 , , .7 , , , , 21.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 , , style="text-align:left;", N. A. Suns , , style="text-align:center;", G League , , 1 , , 24.9 , , .667 , , .750 , , .750 , , 3.0 , , 6.0 , , , , 1.0 , , 18.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2019–20 , , style="text-align:left;",

, , style="text-align:center;", G League , , 30 , , 31.3 , , .434 , , .417 , , .814 , , 4.0 , , 5.9 , , 1.2 , , .0 , , 21.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2020–21 , , style="text-align:left;", UNICS , , style="text-align:center;", VTBUL , , 24 , , 26.3 , , .422 , , .418 , , .877 , , 2.6 , , 2.4 , , .4 , , .2 , , 14.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2021–22 , , style="text-align:left;", UNICS , , style="text-align:center;", VTBUL , , 12 , , 21.1 , , .420 , , .440 , , .813 , , 1.8 , , 1.1 , , 1.2 , , .1 , , 12.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2021–22 , , style="text-align:left;", Galatasaray , , style="text-align:center;", TBSL , , 12 , , 22.5 , , .421 , , .432 , , .700 , , 1.9 , , 2.2 , , .6 , , , , 11.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2022–23 , , style="text-align:left;",

, , style="text-align:center;", HEBA A1 , , 16 , , 17.7 , , .442 , , .448 , , .938 , , 1.1 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , , , 10.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2023–24 , , style="text-align:left;",

, , style="text-align:center;", HEBA A1 , , 33 , , 22.8 , , .446 , , .462 , , .727 , , 1.7 , , 1.5 , , .9 , , .0 , , 10.8

College

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2009–10 , style="text-align:left;", Murray State , 36 , , 0 , , 20.4 , , .498 , , .482 , , .778 , , 2.3 , , 1.6 , , .9 , , , , 10.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2010–11 , style="text-align:left;", Murray State , 32 , , 20 , , 28.1 , , .416 , , .403 , , .744 , , 1.9 , , 2.4 , , 1.1 , , .1 , , 11.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2011–12 , style="text-align:left;", Murray State , 33 , , 33 , , 33.7 , , .468 , , .456 , , .837 , , 3.5 , , 3.6 , , 1.4 , , .1 , , 19.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2012–13 , style="text-align:left;", Murray State , 31 , , 30 , , 36.5 , , .431 , , .370 , , .822 , , 3.5 , , 4.3 , , 1.5 , , .1 , , 21.8 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 132 , , 83 , , 29.4 , , .450 , , .419 , , .803 , , 2.8 , , 2.9 , , 1.2 , , .1 , , 15.5

References

External links

*
Murray State Racers bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Canaan, Isaiah 1991 births Living people 21st-century American sportsmen All-American college men's basketball players American expatriate basketball people in Greece American expatriate basketball people in Russia American expatriate basketball people in Turkey American men's basketball players Basketball players from Mississippi BC UNICS players Biloxi High School alumni Chicago Bulls players Galatasaray S.K. (men's basketball) players Houston Rockets draft picks Houston Rockets players Milwaukee Bucks players Minnesota Timberwolves players Murray State Racers men's basketball players Northern Arizona Suns players Olympiacos B.C. players Philadelphia 76ers players Phoenix Suns players Rio Grande Valley Vipers players Shooting guards Sportspeople from Biloxi, Mississippi Stockton Kings players