Isaiah Canaan (pronounced Cannon; born May 21, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who plays for Crvena zvezda of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. He was an All-American college player at Murray State University.

Isaiah Canaan
Canaan with the Rockets in March 2014
No. 3 – Crvena zvezda
PositionShooting guard
LeagueKLS
ABA League
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1991-05-21) May 21, 1991 (age 33)
Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolBiloxi (Biloxi, Mississippi)
CollegeMurray State (2009–2013)
NBA draft2013: 2nd round, 34th overall pick
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career2013–present
Career history
20132015Houston Rockets
2013–2015Rio Grande Valley Vipers
20152016Philadelphia 76ers
2016–2017Chicago Bulls
2017Houston Rockets
2017Northern Arizona Suns
20172018Phoenix Suns
2019Minnesota Timberwolves
2019Milwaukee Bucks
2019–2020Stockton Kings
2020–2022UNICS Kazan
2022Galatasaray
2022–2024Olympiacos
2024–presentCrvena zvezda
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

College career

edit
 
Canaan at Murray State

Canaan, a 6'0" guard from Biloxi, Mississippi, went to Murray State after leading Biloxi High School to the 5A Mississippi state championship as a senior.[1] Canaan had an instant impact for the Racers, as he averaged 10.4 points per game 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 (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.[2] Murray State went on to knock off 4-seeded Vanderbilt in the NCAA tournament, before losing to eventual national runner-up Butler 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.[3] Canaan, the Racers' leading scorer, was named to the finalist lists for the Bob Cousy Award[4] and the Oscar Robertson Award.[5]

On February 17, 2018, Murray State retired Canaan's number 3 jersey.[6]

Professional career

edit

Houston Rockets (2013–2015)

edit

Canaan was selected 34th overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.[7] On July 15, 2013, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Rockets.[8] During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League.[9]

On February 3, 2014, Canaan was named to the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2014 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[10]

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.[11] Two days later, Cannan left the game against the Los Angeles Clippers 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.[12] On January 26, 2015, he was recalled by the Rockets after averaging 21.0 points, 8.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game.[13]

Philadelphia 76ers (2015–2016)

edit

On February 19, 2015, Canaan was traded, along with a 2015 second-round draft pick, to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for K. J. McDaniels.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

On March 21, 2016, Canaan made three three-pointers against the Indiana Pacers, giving him 158 for the 2015–16 season and breaking a tie with Allen Iverson for No. 5 on the franchise's single-season list.[17] On April 8, 2016, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.[18]

Chicago Bulls (2016–2017)

edit

On July 20, 2016, Canaan signed with the Chicago Bulls.[19] 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 and logged his first career playoff start on April 26.[20] On June 30, 2017, he was waived by the Bulls.[20]

Return to Houston (2017)

edit

On September 24, 2017, Canaan signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[21] He was waived by the Thunder on October 14 after appearing in three preseason games.[22] On October 24, 2017, Canaan signed with the Houston Rockets.[23] He was waived by the Rockets four days later after appearing in one game.[24]

Phoenix Suns (2017–2018)

edit

On December 12, 2017, Canaan was acquired by the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA G League.[25] The next day, he was called up by the Phoenix Suns, after Phoenix received an injury hardship exemption.[26] 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.[27] Two days later, he scored 17 points in a 97–91 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[28] With seven assists against Minnesota and six against Dallas,[29] 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.[30] On December 23, 2017, the Suns retained him for the rest of the season.[31] On January 31, 2018, Canaan fractured his left ankle while driving to the rim in the first quarter of their game against the Mavericks.[32] He was subsequently waived by the Suns on February 8.[33]

On August 3, 2018, Canaan re-signed with the Phoenix Suns.[34] 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 Dallas Mavericks.[35][36] 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.[37] Canaan began the season as the team's starting point guard before coach Igor Kokoškov moved Devin Booker to the point and inserted rookie Mikal Bridges into the starting lineup.[38] On November 28, he was waived by the Suns.[39] Kokoškov noted that it "was a business decision" to waive Canaan.[38]

Minnesota Timberwolves (2019)

edit

On January 30, 2019, Canaan signed a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.[40] On February 11, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Timberwolves.[41] Following the expiration of his second 10-day contract, the Timberwolves decided not to sign Canaan for the rest of the season.[42]

Milwaukee Bucks (2019)

edit

On February 25, 2019, Canaan signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks,[43] but was released on March 3.[44]

Stockton Kings (2019–2020)

edit

On August 22, 2019, Canaan signed with Shandong Golden Stars of the CBA.[45]

On December 7, 2019, the Stockton Kings had acquired the returning right of Canaan with a third-round draft pick in the 2020 NBA G League Draft from the Austin Spurs for the returning rights of Cameron Reynolds and a second-round draft pick in the 2020 NBA G League Draft.[46] 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.[47]

UNICS Kazan (2020–2022)

edit

On July 19, 2020, Canaan signed with UNICS Kazan of the VTB United League and the EuroCup.[48] He averaged 14.2 points and 2.7 assists per game. Canaan re-signed with the team on July 7, 2021.[49] He left the team in early 2022 due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[50][51]

Galatasaray (2022)

edit

On March 31, 2022, he signed with Galatasaray Nef of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).[52] 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)

edit

On 8 July 2022, Canaan signed a two-year (1+1) deal with Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague.[53] On 5 July 2023, Olympiacos picked up the option in their mutual contract and Canaan remained with the club.

Career statistics

edit
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

Regular season

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Houston 22 0 11.5 .356 .327 .724 1.1 1.0 .4 .2 4.6
2014–15 Houston 25 9 14.8 .405 .381 .762 1.3 1.2 .6 6.2
Philadelphia 22 12 25.9 .377 .364 .846 2.5 3.1 .7 .1 12.6
2015–16 Philadelphia 77 39 25.5 .360 .363 .833 2.3 1.8 .7 .2 11.0
2016–17 Chicago 39 0 25.5 .364 .266 .909 1.3 .9 .6 .0 4.6
2017–18 Houston 1 0 4.0 1.0 0.0
Phoenix 19 1 22.0 .382 .333 .902 2.3 4.0 .8 .1 9.1
2018–19 Phoenix 19 15 26.5 .395 .347 .750 2.6 3.3 .6 7.5
Minnesota 7 1 13.5 .379 .368 1.000 .7 2.7 .3 .1 4.7
Milwaukee 4 0 7.8 .333 .400 .000 1.0 .8 .3 1.5
Career 235 77 20.4 .371 .351 .836 1.9 1.9 .6 .1 8.1

Playoffs

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017 Chicago 3 2 31.7 .500 .357 .667 1.3 1.3 1.0 11.7
Career 3 2 31.7 .500 .357 .667 1.3 1.3 1.0 11.7

EuroLeague

edit
* Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2021–22 UNICS 24 2 23.9 .410 .410 .816 1.8 1.3 .5 .2 11.8 6.9
2022–23 Olympiacos 39 36 16.1 .390 .382 .667 1.0 .9 .6 .1 6.3 3.4
2023–24 41* 41* 23.0 .462 .425 .882 1.2 1.4 .9 .1 11.1 8.4
Career 104 79 20.7 .426 .409 .826 1.3 1.2 .7 .1 9.5 6.2

EuroCup

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2020–21 UNICS 24 21 27.0 .404 .356 .944 2.9 3.1 .9 .0 14.1 12.1
Career 24 21 27.0 .404 .356 .944 2.9 3.1 .9 .0 14.1 12.1

Domestic leagues

edit
Year Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14   R. G. Valley Vipers D-League 18 34.0 .437 .369 .811 4.0 8.2 .7 .2 21.8
2014–15   R. G. Valley Vipers D-League 4 35.9 .368 .349 .633 3.5 8.5 .7 21.0
2017–18   N. A. Suns G League 1 24.9 .667 .750 .750 3.0 6.0 1.0 18.0
2019–20   Stockton Kings G League 30 31.3 .434 .417 .814 4.0 5.9 1.2 .0 21.4
2020–21   UNICS VTBUL 24 26.3 .422 .418 .877 2.6 2.4 .4 .2 14.3
2021–22   UNICS VTBUL 12 21.1 .420 .440 .813 1.8 1.1 1.2 .1 12.7
2021–22   Galatasaray TBSL 12 22.5 .421 .432 .700 1.9 2.2 .6 11.3
2022–23   Olympiacos HEBA A1 16 17.7 .442 .448 .938 1.1 1.1 .6 10.0
2023–24   Olympiacos HEBA A1 33 22.8 .446 .462 .727 1.7 1.5 .9 .0 10.8

College

edit
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Murray State 36 0 20.4 .498 .482 .778 2.3 1.6 .9 10.4
2010–11 Murray State 32 20 28.1 .416 .403 .744 1.9 2.4 1.1 .1 11.7
2011–12 Murray State 33 33 33.7 .468 .456 .837 3.5 3.6 1.4 .1 19.0
2012–13 Murray State 31 30 36.5 .431 .370 .822 3.5 4.3 1.5 .1 21.8
Career 132 83 29.4 .450 .419 .803 2.8 2.9 1.2 .1 15.5

References

edit
  1. ^ "MSU bio". Murray State Athletics. 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  2. ^ "Murray St. gets 30th win in earning NCAA berth". ESPN.com. 2010. Archived from the original on March 20, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  3. ^ Jeremy Peters (November 27, 2011). "Murray State wins the Great Alaska Shootout". Anchorage Daily News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  4. ^ "2012 Cousy Award Finalists". Cousy Award. 2012. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  5. ^ "USBWA Oscar Robertson midseason watch list". USBWA.com. 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  6. ^ Wells, Adam (February 17, 2018). "Canaan's #3 jersey retired by Murray State". wpsdlocal16.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  7. ^ Rockets Draft Isaiah Canaan
  8. ^ Roster Taking Shape for the Rockets
  9. ^ 2013–14 NBA Assignments Archived 2014-07-03 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Eighth Annual NBA D-League All-Star Game Features 16 Players With NBA Experience Archived 2014-02-07 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Harden leads Rockets past Kings 102–89". Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  12. ^ Rockets Assign Canaan to the NBA D-League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers
  13. ^ Rockets Recall Canaan from Rio Grande Valley Vipers
  14. ^ "Sixers Acquire Two First-round Picks, A 2015 Second-round Pick, Isaiah Canaan, And JaVale McGee". NBA.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  15. ^ "Vucevic powers Magic past 76ers 103–98". Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  16. ^ "Westbrook has career-high 49, lifts Thunder past 76ers in OT". Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  17. ^ "Pacers' playoff push gets jumpstart with win over 76ers". Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  18. ^ "Sixers Injury Update: Isaiah Canaan out for season with torn labrum". Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  19. ^ "BULLS SIGN ISAIAH CANAAN". NBA.com. July 20, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  20. ^ a b "BULLS WAIVE RAJON RONDO AND ISAIAH CANAAN". NBA.com. June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  21. ^ "Thunder Adds Alford, Brown, Canaan and Thomas to Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. September 24, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  22. ^ "Thunder Waives Four". NBA.com. October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  23. ^ "Rockets sign guard Isaiah Canaan". chron.com. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  24. ^ Rockets waive Isaiah Canaan
  25. ^ "NAZ Suns Trade for NBA Veteran Isaiah Canaan". Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  26. ^ "Phoenix Suns Sign Isaiah Canaan". NBA.com. December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  27. ^ "Canaan helps Suns rally to beat T-Wolves 108–106". ESPN.com. December 16, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  28. ^ "Len, Suns complete 97–91 comeback win against Mavericks". ESPN.com. December 18, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  29. ^ Isaiah Canaan 2017–18 Game Log
  30. ^ Amazing stat: Canaan first player in Suns...
  31. ^ "Canaan signs with Suns". AZCentral.com. December 23, 2017.
  32. ^ "Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Canaan suffers gruesome ankle injury while driving to rim". NBA.com. January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  33. ^ Phoenix Suns Waive Isaiah Canaan
  34. ^ Phoenix Suns Re-Sign Isaiah Canaan
  35. ^ "Mavericks vs. Suns – Box Score". ESPN.com. October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  36. ^ "Booker's late onslaught lifts Suns past Mavs 121–100". ESPN.com. October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018. Isaiah Canaan, coming back from a gruesome leg injury sustained on the same court last season, got the start at point guard.
  37. ^ "T.J. Warren scores 27 points, Suns beat Spurs 116–96". ESPN.com. November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  38. ^ a b "Clippers extend home winning streak to 9 by beating Suns". ESPN.com. November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  39. ^ "Suns Waive Isaiah Canaan". NBA.com. November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  40. ^ "Timberwolves Sign Guard Isaiah Canaan to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  41. ^ "Timberwolves Sign Guard Isaiah Canaan to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  42. ^ Suleymanov, Mark (February 23, 2019). "Timberwolves Will Not Sign Isaiah Canaan For Rest Of Season". hoopsrumors.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  43. ^ "Milwaukee Bucks Sign Isaiah Canaan to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  44. ^ @Bucks (March 3, 2019). "The Bucks have released guard Isaiah Canaan from his 10-day contract. Originally signed to a 10-day contract on F…" (Tweet). Retrieved March 3, 2019 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Isaiah Canaan signs with Shandong". Sportando. August 22, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  46. ^ @StocktonKings (December 7, 2019). "🚨 MOVES ALERT 🚨 Austin Spurs will receive the returning player rights to Cam Reynolds and Stockton's 2020 2nd rou…" (Tweet). Retrieved December 7, 2019 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ "Isaiah Canaan: Tallies 32 points Sunday". CBS Sports. January 20, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  48. ^ "UNICS tabs scoring guard Canaan". EuroCup Basketball. July 19, 2020. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  49. ^ "Unics Kazan keeps Isaiah Canaan". Sportando. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  50. ^ "Unics Kazan reportedly suing Jarrell Brantley for $250,000". Eurohoops. March 4, 2022.
  51. ^ "More than 50 people. Which of the foreigners left the Russian sports clubs: RBC Sport". March 5, 2022. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  52. ^ "Isaiah Canaan Galatasaray Nef'te!" (in Turkish). Galatasaray. March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  53. ^ "Isaiah Canaan officially signs with Olympiacos". Sportando. July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
edit

  Media related to Isaiah Canaan at Wikimedia Commons