Isaiah Canaan: The Point

#3 (Retired) | 6'2" Guard | Biloxi, Miss.

Career Accolades & Hall of Fame Inductions

• Consensus All-American: 2012
• 2x OVC Player of the Year: 2012, 2013
• OVC Athlete of the Year: 2012
• 3x First-Team All-OVC Selection: 2011, 2012, 12013
• Murray State Athletics Hall of Fame: Class of 2018
• 2nd All-Time in Made 3-Point Field Goals

A Class of His Own

Isaiah Canaan arrived at Murray State in the fall of 2009 from Biloxi, Mississippi, carrying a rare blend of explosive athleticism, physical toughness, and an unshakeable confidence from beyond the arc. Over the next four years, the 6-foot-2 guard orchestrate the most nationally prominent era in the modern history of Racer basketball, entirely rewriting the school's record books and capturing the imaginations of college basketball fans across the country.

His legendary status on campus was verified by those who watched the program grow from its infancy. Former Murray State All-American and longtime coach Bennie Purcell, who witnessed virtually every player to wear the blue and gold over a 60-year span, understood exactly where Canaan stood in program lore. "Canaan is one of the two best pure guards to ever play at Murray State, along with Lamont Sleets," Purcell remarked in 2012. "There have been other great players at other positions. But as a pure guard, Canaan and Sleets are in a class by themselves."

The Magical 2012 Season

Canaan’s junior campaign in 2011–12 became a historic whirlwind. Weaponizing a lightning-quick release and unlimited shooting depth, he led the Racers to a blistering 23–0 undefeated start to the season. Murray State skyrocketed into the national consciousness, climbing as high as No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll—the highest national ranking in the university's illustrious history.

Opposing guards were left entirely helpless trying to contain his deep range. During that magical run, Southeast Missouri State guard Corey Wilford perfectly summarized the nightmare of game-planning against Canaan: "I thought I did a pretty good job on him in the first half. Then he started pulling from halfcourt in the second half. There wasn't anything I could do about that."

Wilford’s assessment was barely an exaggeration. Canaan averaged 19.0 points per game as a junior, driving the Racers to a 31–2 overall record, an OVC regular-season crown, and an OVC Tournament championship. On the grand stage of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, Canaan put on a show, leading the Racers to a dominant first-round victory over Colorado State. His historic season culminated in him being named a Consensus All-American, the OVC Player of the Year, and the OVC Athlete of the Year.

Leaving as a Legend

Canaan refused to slow down during his 2012–13 senior year, raising his scoring average to 21.8 points per game and carrying the Racers to a second consecutive OVC regular-season championship. By the time he walked off the floor for the final time, he had firmly established his place among the immortal icons of the program.

Canaan concluded his collegiate career ranking 5th on the Racers' all-time career scoring list with 2,050 points. He departed campus as the all-time program leader in three-point field goals made, while ranking 5th in three-point field goal percentage, 5th in free throws made, 5th in career assists, and 7th in steals. In recognition of his era-defining dominance, Murray State officially retired his No. 3 jersey and inducted him into the Murray State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

The NBA Journey

Canaan’s elite scoring translation directly to the professional ranks when he was selected 34th overall in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He quickly proved he belonged at the highest level. During his second professional season, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where his lethal perimeter shooting weaponized the offense. In a season and a half with Philadelphia, Canaan appeared in 99 games, making 52 starts while averaging 11.3 points and 2.0 assists. His 176 three-pointers made during the 2015–16 campaign etched his name into the 76ers history books, ranking 4th for a single season in franchise history.

In the summer of 2016, Canaan signed with the Chicago Bulls, appearing in 39 regular-season contests. When injuries struck the Bulls' backcourt during the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Canaan was thrust into a prominent starting role. He responded like a seasoned veteran, appearing in three high-stakes playoff games and making two starts while averaging 11.7 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game against the Boston Celtics.

His reputation as an elite shooter and a consummate professional subsequently earned him a contract with the Phoenix Suns. He became an overnight fan favorite in the desert, recording 15 points—including three ice-cold, game-winning free throws—alongside 7 assists and 5 rebounds in his Suns debut. He followed that up with a 17-point, 6-assist performance just two days later. Canaan was averaging a stellar 9.1 points and 4.0 assists through 19 games before suffering a gruesome fractured left ankle and tibia that prematurely ended his season. Undeterred, Canaan fought his way back through a grueling rehabilitation process, continuing his 235-game NBA journey with additional impactful stints for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Becoming a European Superstar

Following his successful NBA run, Canaan transitioned his talents overseas, where his gritty defense and signature long-range shooting transformed him into one of the most elite and revered guards in European basketball. He signed in the premier EuroLeague, playing at the highest international level for powerhouse clubs UNICS Kazan, Galatasaray, and Olympiacos Piraeus in Greece.

While starring for Olympiacos from 2022 to 2024, Canaan's clutch shooting guided the club to consecutive Greek League Championships and a berth in the EuroLeague Final Four. In 2024, the American sniper signed a lucrative multi-year deal with Serbian powerhouse Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade). Bringing his signature half-court range and trademark hard-nosed energy to Belgrade, Canaan cemented his legacy as a true global icon of the game—carrying the exact same fire he first showcased on the floor of Racer Arena all the way to the grandest stages of international basketball.