List of basketball teams in Canada

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Major professional teams[]

National Basketball Association (NBA)[]

Active teams[]

Team City Established NBA Championships Notes
Toronto Raptors Toronto, Ontario 1995 1 2019 NBA Champions

Defunct teams[]

Team City Existence NBA Championships Notes
Vancouver Grizzlies Vancouver, British Columbia 1995 0 In 2001, the team relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, United States and was renamed the Memphis Grizzlies.

Basketball Association of America[]

Defunct teams[]

Team City Existence BAA Championships Notes
Toronto Huskies Toronto, Ontario 1946-47 0 Folded after 1946-47 season.

Minor professional teams[]

Active leagues[]

American Basketball Association[]

Defunct teams[]
Team City Existence ABA Championships Notes
Toronto, Ontario 2011 0 Select team formed from merger of several teams, never played a game.
Calgary Drillers Calgary, Alberta 2004-05 0 Folded during 2004-05 season.
Calgary Crush Calgary, Alberta 2011-15 0
Edmonton Cheetahs Edmonton, Alberta 2005-06 0
Grande Prairie, Alberta 2013 0 Moved from Oakland County, Michigan following the 2012-13 season, never actually played any games in Grande Prairie though.
Halifax Rainmen Halifax, Nova Scotia 2007-08 0 Left the league following the 2007-08 season and joined the Premier Basketball League.
Hamilton, Ontario 2008 0 Folded in August 2008, before ever playing a game.
Hamilton, Ontario 2011 0 Announced as a member of ABA-Canada, but the ABA-Canada was reduced to a single "selects" team.
Mississauga, Ontario 2011 0 Originally announced as an expansion team, but was quietly removed from the league's website.
Montreal Matrix Montreal, Quebec 2005-08 0 Named 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.
St. Catharines, Ontario 2005-06 0 Folded during 2005-06 season.
Mississauga, Ontario 2005-08 0 Folded on March 10, 2008 without ever playing a game
Oshawa, Ontario 2011 0 Announced as a member of ABA-Canada, but the ABA-Canada was reduced to a single "selects" team.
Ottawa, Ontario 2011 0 Announced as a member of ABA-Canada, but the ABA-Canada was reduced to a single "selects" team.
Quebec Kebs Quebec City, Quebec 2006-07 0 Left the league following the 2007-08 season and joined the Premier Basketball League.
Thunder Bay, Ontario 2011 0 Originally announced as an expansion team, but was quietly removed from the league's website.
Vancouver Balloholics Vancouver, British Columbia 2014-16 0
Vancouver Explorers Vancouver, British Columbia 2004-06 0

Canadian Elite Basketball League[]

Active teams[]
Team City Established CEBL Championships Notes
Edmonton Stingers Edmonton, Alberta 2019 1
Fraser Valley Bandits Langley, British Columbia 2019 0
Guelph Nighthawks Guelph, Ontario 2019 0
Hamilton Honey Badgers Hamilton, Ontario 2019 0
Ottawa Blackjacks Ottawa, Ontario 2020 0
Niagara River Lions St. Catharines, Ontario 2019 0 Moved from the National Basketball League of Canada following the 2017-18 season.
Saskatchewan Rattlers Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 2019 1

National Basketball League of Canada[]

Active teams[]
Team City Established NBL Championships Notes
KW Titans Kitchener, Ontario 2016 0
London Lightning London, Ontario 2011 4 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2018 champions
Sudbury Five Sudbury, Ontario 2018 0
Windsor Express Windsor, Ontario 2012 2
Defunct teams[]
Team City Existed NBL Championships Notes
Cape Breton Highlanders Sydney, Nova Scotia 2016–2019 0
Halifax Rainmen Halifax, Nova Scotia 2011–2015 0 Left 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, Quebec 2012–2013 0
Mississauga Power Mississauga, Ontario 2011–2015 0 Displaced by the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League.
Moncton Miracles Moncton, New Brunswick 2011–2017 0 Replaced by the Moncton Magic
Niagara River Lions St. Catharines, Ontario 2015–2018 0 Joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League following the 2017–18 season.
Orangeville A's Orangeville, Ontario 2013–2017 0 Joined NBL Canada in 2013–14 as the Brampton A's before relocating in 2015.
Ottawa SkyHawks Ottawa, Ontario 2013–2014 0 Failed to repay loans after one season and were removed from the league.
Quebec Kebs Quebec City, Quebec 2011–2012 0 Left the Premier Basketball League following the 2010–11 season and folded following the 2011–12 season.

NBA G League[]

Active teams[]
Team City Established G League Championships Notes
Raptors 905 Mississauga, Ontario 2015 1 Owned and operated by the parent company of the Toronto Raptors.

Defunct leagues[]

Continental Basketball Association[]

Team City Existence CBA Championships Notes
Alberta Dusters Lethbridge, Alberta 1980-82 0 Moved to Las Vegas after 1981-82 season.
Saskatchewan Hawks Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 2001-02 0 Folded after 2001-02 season.
Toronto Tornados Toronto, Ontario 1983-86 0 Moved to Pensacola, Florida during 1985-86 season.
Vancouver Dragons Vancouver, British Columbia 2007-09 0 Was 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[]

Team City Existence IBA Championships Notes
Saskatchewan Hawks Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 2000-2001 0 Moved from Mansfield, Ohio during 1999-2000 season.
League merged with Continental Basketball Association after 2000-01 season.
Winnipeg Cyclone Winnipeg, Manitoba 1995-2001 0 League merged with Continental Basketball Association after 2000-01 season.

International Basketball League[]

Team City Existed IBL Championships Notes
BC Titans Langley, British Columbia 2009-10 0
Edmonton Chill Edmonton, Alberta 2008 0 Changed name from Sled Dawgz to Chill on October 23, 2007.
Edmonton Energy Edmonton, Alberta 2009-12 0

National Basketball League (1993–94)[]

Team City Existence NBL Championships Notes
Calgary Outlaws Calgary, Alberta 1994 0 League folded during 1994 season.
Cape Breton Breakers Sydney, Nova Scotia 1993-94 0 League folded during 1994 season.
Edmonton Skyhawks Edmonton, Alberta 1993-94 0 Moved from Hamilton to Edmonton prior to 1993 playoffs. League folded during 1994 season.
Halifax Windjammers Halifax, Nova Scotia 1993-94 0 League folded during 1994 season.
Montreal Dragons Montreal, Quebec 1993 0 Folded during 1993 season.
Saskatoon Slam Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 1993-94 1 League folded during 1994 season.
Winnipeg Thunder Winnipeg, Manitoba 1993-94 0 League folded during 1994 season.

[]

Team City Existence Notes
Barrie, Ontario 2004 League folded during 2004 season.
Brantford, Ontario 2004 League folded during 2004 season.
Guelph, Ontario 2004 League folded during 2004 season.
London, Ontario 2004 League folded during 2004 season.
Welland, Ontario 2004 League folded during 2004 season.
Waterloo, Ontario 2004 League folded during 2004 season.
Windsor, Ontario 2004 League folded during 2004 season.

Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League[]

Team City Existence PCPBL Championships Notes
Vancouver, British Columbia 1946-48 0 League folded after 1947-48 season.

Premier Basketball League[]

Team City Existed PBL Championships Notes
Halifax Rainmen Halifax, Nova Scotia 2008–11 0 Left 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, Quebec 2008 0 Granted an expansion team for the 2008 season, but folded during their inaugural season.
Quebec Kebs Quebec City, Quebec 2008–11 0 Left 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 2010–11 0 Moved 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, Ontario 2008 0 Granted 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[]

Team City Existence WBL Championships Notes
Calgary 88's Calgary, Alberta 1988-92 0 League folded during 1992 season.
Halifax Windjammers Halifax, Nova Scotia 1991-92 0 League folded during 1992 season.
Hamilton Skyhawks Hamilton, Ontario 1992 0 League folded during 1992 season.
Saskatchewan Storm Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 1990-92 0 League folded during 1992 season.
Vancouver Nighthawks Vancouver, British Columbia 1988 0 Folded after 1988 season.
Winnipeg Thunder Winnipeg, Manitoba 1992 0 League folded during 1992 season.

University teams[]

U Sports[]

Active teams[]

Atlantic University Sport[]
Team City Established Men's Championships Women's Championships Notes
Acadia University Axemen/Axewomen Wolfville, Nova Scotia 3 0
Cape Breton University Capers Sydney, Nova Scotia 0 0
Dalhousie University Tigers Halifax, Nova Scotia 0 0
Memorial University of Newfoundland Sea-Hawks St. John's, Newfoundland 0 0
University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds Fredericton, New Brunswick 0 0
University of Prince Edward Island Panthers Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 0 0
St. Francis Xavier University X-Men/X-Women Antigonish, Nova Scotia 3 0
Saint Mary's University Huskies Halifax, Nova Scotia 4 0
Canada West Universities Athletic Association[]
Team City Established Men's Championships Women's Championships Notes
University of Alberta Golden Bears/Pandas Edmonton, Alberta 1910 3 1 The men's teams use the nickname Golden Bears, while the women's teams use the nickname Pandas.
Brandon University Bobcats Brandon, Manitoba 4 0
University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Vancouver, British Columbia 1924 2 6
University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat Kelowna, British Columbia 2011 0 0
University of Calgary Dinos Calgary, Alberta 1964 0 1 Changed its name from Dinosaurs to Dinos in 1999
University of the Fraser Valley Cascades Abbotsford, British Columbia 0 0
University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Lethbridge, Alberta 0 0
University of Manitoba Bisons Winnipeg, Manitoba 1927 1 3
University of Regina Cougars Regina, Saskatchewan 0 1
University of Saskatchewan Huskies Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 1912 1 0
Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Kamloops, British Columbia 2005 0 0
University of Victoria Vikes Victoria, British Columbia 8 9
University of Winnipeg Wesmen Winnipeg, Manitoba 0 3
Ontario University Athletics[]
Team City Established Men's Championships Women's Championships Notes
Brock University Badgers St. Catharines, Ontario 2 0
Carleton University Ravens Ottawa, Ontario 15 1
University of Guelph Gryphons Guelph, Ontario 1968 1 0
Lakehead University Thunderwolves Thunder Bay, Ontario 0 0
Laurentian University Voyageurs/Lady Vees Sudbury, Ontario 0 7
McMaster University Marauders Hamilton, Ontario 1898 0 0
University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Ottawa, Ontario 1905 0 0
Queen's University Golden Gaels Kingston, Ontario 1898 0 0
Royal Military College of Canada Paladins Kingston, Ontario 0 0
Ryerson University Rams Toronto, Ontario 0 0
University of Toronto Varsity Blues Toronto, Ontario 1877 0 1
University of Waterloo Warriors Waterloo, Ontario 1957 1 0
Western University Mustangs London, Ontario 1929 0 0 The institution is formally The University of Western Ontario, but has branded itself as Western University since 2012.
Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks Waterloo, Ontario 1961 1 0 Changed its name from Waterloo Lutheran University in 1960.
University of Windsor Lancers Windsor, Ontario 1968 0 0
York University Lions Toronto, Ontario 1968 0 0 Changed its nickname from Yeomen to Lions in 2003.
Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec[]
Team City Established Men's Championships Women's Championships Notes
Bishop's University Gaiters Lennoxville, Quebec 1873 1 2
Concordia University Stingers Montreal, Quebec 1974 1 0 Became Concordia University in 1974 with the merger of Sir George Williams University and Loyola College.
Université Laval Rouge et Or Quebec City, Quebec 0 0
McGill University Redbirds/Martlets Montreal, Quebec 1874 0 0 The 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, Quebec 0 0

Defunct teams[]

Team City Existed Men's Championships Women's Championships Notes
Assumption University Windsor, Ontario 1 0
Simon Fraser University Clan Burnaby, British Columbia 2002-2010 0 3 Joined 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[]

Team City Existence Men's Championships Women's Championships Notes
Simon Fraser University Clan Burnaby, British Columbia 1965-2002 0 0 Left the NAIA to join CIS in 2002.

National Collegiate Athletic Association[]

Active team[]

Great Northwest Athletic Conference[]
Team City Established Men's Championships Women's Championships Notes
Simon Fraser University Clan Burnaby, British Columbia 1965 0 0
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