List of basketball teams in Canada

Last updated

Contents

Major professional teams

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Active teams

TeamCityEstablishedNBA ChampionshipsNotes
Toronto Raptors Toronto, Ontario 19951 2019 NBA Champions

Defunct teams

TeamCityExistenceNBA ChampionshipsNotes
Vancouver Grizzlies Vancouver, British Columbia 19950In 2001, the team relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, United States and was renamed the Memphis Grizzlies.

Basketball Association of America

Defunct teams

TeamCityExistenceBAA ChampionshipsNotes
Toronto Huskies Toronto, Ontario1946-470Folded after 1946-47 season.

Minor professional teams

Active leagues

American Basketball Association

Defunct teams
TeamCityExistenceABA ChampionshipsNotes
ABA-Canada RevolutionToronto, Ontario20110Select team formed from merger of several teams, never played a game.
Calgary Drillers Calgary, Alberta 2004-050Folded during 2004-05 season.
Calgary Crush Calgary, Alberta 2011-150
Edmonton Cheetahs Edmonton, Alberta 2005-060
Grande Prairie Cowboys Grande Prairie, Alberta 20130Moved from Oakland County, Michigan following the 2012-13 season, never actually played any games in Grande Prairie though.
Halifax Rainmen Halifax, Nova Scotia 2007-080Left the league following the 2007-08 season and joined the Premier Basketball League.
Hamilton Rockstars Hamilton, Ontario 20080Folded in August 2008, before ever playing a game.
Hamilton, Ontario20110Announced as a member of ABA-Canada, but the ABA-Canada was reduced to a single "selects" team.
Mississauga, Ontario 20110Originally announced as an expansion team, but was quietly removed from the league's website.
Montreal Matrix Montreal, Quebec 2005-080Named changed from Matrix to Royal during the 2006-07 season. It was reverted to Matrix prior to the 2008-09 season. Apparently folded in December 2008, as the team moved from an active team to a future team on the ABA's website.
Niagara Daredevils St. Catharines, Ontario2005-060Folded during 2005-06 season.
Ontario Red Wolves Mississauga, Ontario2005-080Folded on March 10, 2008 without ever playing a game
Oshawa, Ontario 20110Announced as a member of ABA-Canada, but the ABA-Canada was reduced to a single "selects" team.
Ottawa, Ontario 20110Announced as a member of ABA-Canada, but the ABA-Canada was reduced to a single "selects" team.
Quebec Kebs Quebec City, Quebec 2006-070Left the league following the 2007-08 season and joined the Premier Basketball League.
Thunder Bay, Ontario 20110Originally announced as an expansion team, but was quietly removed from the league's website.
Vancouver Balloholics Vancouver, British Columbia 2014-160
Vancouver Explorers Vancouver, British Columbia 2004-060

Canadian Elite Basketball League

Active teams
TeamCityEstablishedCEBL ChampionshipsNotes
Calgary Surge Calgary, Alberta 20230Relocated from Guelph, where they were known as the Guelph Nighthawks.
Edmonton Stingers Edmonton, Alberta 20192
Fraser Valley Bandits Langley, British Columbia 20190
Hamilton Honey Badgers Hamilton, Ontario 20190
Ottawa Blackjacks Ottawa, Ontario 20200
Niagara River Lions St. Catharines, Ontario 20190Moved from the National Basketball League of Canada following the 2017-18 season.
Saskatchewan Rattlers Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 20191

National Basketball League of Canada

Active teams
TeamCityEstablishedNBL ChampionshipsNotes
KW Titans Kitchener, Ontario 20160
London Lightning London, Ontario 201142012, 2013, 2017, and 2018 champions
Sudbury Five Sudbury, Ontario 20180
Windsor Express Windsor, Ontario 20122
Defunct teams
TeamCityExistedNBL ChampionshipsNotes
Cape Breton Highlanders Sydney, Nova Scotia 2016–20190
Halifax Rainmen Halifax, Nova Scotia 2011–20150Left the Premier Basketball League following the 2010–11 season. Filed for bankruptcy after the 2014–15 season in part of the 2015 NBL Canada Finals brawl
Montreal Jazz Montreal, Quebec2012–20130
Mississauga Power Mississauga, Ontario2011–20150Displaced by the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League.
Moncton Miracles Moncton, New Brunswick 2011–20170Replaced by the Moncton Magic
Niagara River Lions St. Catharines, Ontario 2015–20180Joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League following the 2017–18 season.
Orangeville A's Orangeville, Ontario 2013–20170Joined NBL Canada in 2013–14 as the Brampton A's before relocating in 2015.
Ottawa SkyHawks Ottawa, Ontario2013–20140Failed to repay loans after one season and were removed from the league.
Quebec KebsQuebec City, Quebec2011–20120Left the Premier Basketball League following the 2010–11 season and folded following the 2011–12 season.

NBA G League

Active teams
TeamCityEstablishedG League ChampionshipsNotes
Raptors 905 Mississauga, Ontario 20151Owned and operated by the parent company of the Toronto Raptors.

Defunct leagues

Continental Basketball Association

TeamCityExistenceCBA ChampionshipsNotes
Alberta Dusters Lethbridge, Alberta 1980-820Moved to Las Vegas after 1981-82 season.
Saskatchewan Hawks Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 2001-020Folded after 2001-02 season.
Toronto Tornados Toronto, Ontario1983-860Moved to Pensacola, Florida during 1985-86 season.
Vancouver Dragons Vancouver, British Columbia 2007-090Was granted an expansion franchise in 2007. But a press release from the team stated they wished to begin play in 2010-11, to avoid conflicting with the Winter Olympics. However, the league folded after the 2008-09 season preventing their launch.

International Basketball Association

TeamCityExistenceIBA ChampionshipsNotes
Saskatchewan Hawks Saskatoon, Saskatchewan2000-20010Moved from Mansfield, Ohio during 1999-2000 season.
League merged with Continental Basketball Association after 2000-01 season.
Winnipeg Cyclone Winnipeg, Manitoba 1995-20010League merged with Continental Basketball Association after 2000-01 season.

International Basketball League

TeamCityExistedIBL ChampionshipsNotes
BC Titans Langley, British Columbia 2009-100
Edmonton Chill Edmonton, Alberta20080Changed name from Sled Dawgz to Chill on October 23, 2007.
Edmonton Energy Edmonton, Alberta2009-120

National Basketball League (1993–94)

TeamCityExistenceNBL ChampionshipsNotes
Calgary Outlaws Calgary, Alberta19940League folded during 1994 season.
Cape Breton Breakers Sydney, Nova Scotia 1993-940League folded during 1994 season.
Edmonton Skyhawks Edmonton, Alberta1993-940Moved from Hamilton to Edmonton prior to 1993 playoffs. League folded during 1994 season.
Halifax Windjammers Halifax, Nova Scotia 1993-940League folded during 1994 season.
Montreal Dragons Montreal, Quebec19930Folded during 1993 season.
Saskatoon Slam Saskatoon, Saskatchewan1993-941League folded during 1994 season.
Winnipeg Thunder Winnipeg, Manitoba1993-940League folded during 1994 season.

Ontario Professional Basketball Association

TeamCityExistenceNotes
Barrie Bandits Barrie, Ontario2004League folded during 2004 season.
Brantford Connexion Brantford, Ontario 2004League folded during 2004 season.
Guelph Gladiators Guelph, Ontario2004League folded during 2004 season.
London OrionLondon, Ontario2004League folded during 2004 season.
Niagara Gamblers Welland, Ontario 2004League folded during 2004 season.
Waterloo Revolution Waterloo, Ontario 2004League folded during 2004 season.
Windsor DriveWindsor, Ontario2004League folded during 2004 season.

Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League

TeamCityExistencePCPBL ChampionshipsNotes
Vancouver HornetsVancouver, British Columbia 1946-480League folded after 1947-48 season.

Premier Basketball League

TeamCityExistedPBL ChampionshipsNotes
Halifax Rainmen Halifax, Nova Scotia 2008–110Left the American Basketball Association following the 2007–08 season.
Left the PBL following the 2010–11 season and formed the National Basketball League of Canada.
Montreal Sasquatch Montreal, Quebec20080Granted an expansion team for the 2008 season, but folded during their inaugural season.
Quebec KebsQuebec City, Quebec2008–110Left the American Basketball Association following the 2007–08 season.
Left the PBL following the 2010–11 season and formed the National Basketball League of Canada.
Saint John Mill Rats Saint John, New Brunswick 2010–110Moved from Manchester, New Hampshire, following the 2009–10 season.
Left the PBL following the 2010–11 season and formed the National Basketball League of Canada.
Toronto LazersToronto, Ontario20080Granted an expansion team for the 2008 season, but were subsequently removed from the league without any mention, prior to the 2008 season.

World Basketball League

TeamCityExistenceWBL ChampionshipsNotes
Calgary 88's Calgary, Alberta1988-920League folded during 1992 season.
Halifax Windjammers Halifax, Nova Scotia 1991-920League folded during 1992 season.
Hamilton Skyhawks Hamilton, Ontario19920League folded during 1992 season.
Saskatchewan Storm Saskatoon, Saskatchewan1990-920League folded during 1992 season.
Vancouver Nighthawks Vancouver, British Columbia 19880Folded after 1988 season.
Winnipeg Thunder Winnipeg, Manitoba19920League folded during 1992 season.

University teams

U Sports

Active teams

Atlantic University Sport
TeamCityEstablishedMen's ChampionshipsWomen's ChampionshipsNotes
Acadia University Axemen/Axewomen Wolfville, Nova Scotia 30
Cape Breton University Capers Sydney, Nova Scotia 00
Dalhousie University Tigers Halifax, Nova Scotia 00
Memorial University of Newfoundland Sea-Hawks St. John's, Newfoundland 00
University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds Fredericton, New Brunswick 00
University of Prince Edward Island Panthers Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 00
St. Francis Xavier University X-Men/X-Women Antigonish, Nova Scotia 30
Saint Mary's University Huskies Halifax, Nova Scotia 40
Canada West Universities Athletic Association
TeamCityEstablishedMen's ChampionshipsWomen's ChampionshipsNotes
University of Alberta Golden Bears/Pandas Edmonton, Alberta191031The men's teams use the nickname Golden Bears, while the women's teams use the nickname Pandas.
Brandon University Bobcats Brandon, Manitoba 40
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Vancouver, British Columbia 192426
University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat Kelowna, British Columbia 201100
University of Calgary Dinos Calgary, Alberta196401Changed its name from Dinosaurs to Dinos in 1999
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades Abbotsford, British Columbia 00
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Lethbridge, Alberta00
University of Manitoba Bisons Winnipeg, Manitoba192713
University of Regina Cougars Regina, Saskatchewan 01
University of Saskatchewan Huskies Saskatoon, Saskatchewan191210
Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Kamloops, British Columbia 200500
University of Victoria Vikes Victoria, British Columbia89
University of Winnipeg Wesmen Winnipeg, Manitoba03
Ontario University Athletics
TeamCityEstablishedMen's ChampionshipsWomen's ChampionshipsNotes
Brock University Badgers St. Catharines, Ontario20
Carleton University Ravens Ottawa, Ontario151
University of Guelph Gryphons Guelph, Ontario196810
Lakehead University Thunderwolves Thunder Bay, Ontario00
Laurentian University Voyageurs/Lady Vees Sudbury, Ontario07
McMaster University Marauders Hamilton, Ontario189800
University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Ottawa, Ontario190500
Queen's University Golden Gaels Kingston, Ontario 189800
Royal Military College of Canada Paladins Kingston, Ontario00
Ryerson University Rams Toronto, Ontario00
University of Toronto Varsity Blues Toronto, Ontario187701
University of Waterloo Warriors Waterloo, Ontario195710
Western University Mustangs London, Ontario192900The institution is formally The University of Western Ontario, but has branded itself as Western University since 2012.
Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks Waterloo, Ontario196110Changed its name from Waterloo Lutheran University in 1960.
University of Windsor Lancers Windsor, Ontario196800
York University Lions Toronto, Ontario196800Changed its nickname from Yeomen to Lions in 2003.
Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec
TeamCityEstablishedMen's ChampionshipsWomen's ChampionshipsNotes
Bishop's University Gaiters Lennoxville, Quebec 187312
Concordia University Stingers Montreal, Quebec197410Became Concordia University in 1974 with the merger of Sir George Williams University and Loyola College.
Université Laval Rouge et Or Quebec City, Quebec00
McGill University Redbirds/Martlets Montreal, Quebec187400The men's nickname of Redmen, first used in 1927, was dropped after the 2018–19 season; men's teams went a year without a nickname until Redbirds was adopted starting in 2020–21. For a time in the 1960s, when men's teams were alternatively known as Indians, women's teams were formally nicknamed Super Squaws, but that was abandoned in the late 1960s in favor of the current women's nickname of Martlets.
Université du Québec à Montréal Citadins Montreal, Quebec00

Defunct teams

TeamCityExistedMen's ChampionshipsWomen's ChampionshipsNotes
Assumption University Windsor, Ontario10
Simon Fraser University Clan Burnaby, British Columbia 2002-201003Joined U Sports (known from 2001–2016 as CIS) in 2001, after playing National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) basketball previously.
Left CIS in 2010 for the NCAA.

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

Defunct teams

TeamCityExistenceMen's ChampionshipsWomen's ChampionshipsNotes
Simon Fraser University Clan Burnaby, British Columbia 1965-200200Left the NAIA to join CIS in 2002.

National Collegiate Athletic Association

Active team

Great Northwest Athletic Conference
TeamCityEstablishedMen's ChampionshipsWomen's ChampionshipsNotes
Simon Fraser University Clan Burnaby, British Columbia 196500