On Wednesday, the Timberwolves signed point guard Isaiah Canaan to a 10-day
contract. Unfamiliar with Canaan? Hopefully this helps.
Isaiah Canaan (pronounced KAY-nin)
Canaan, 27, was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. He attended Murray State University
from 2009-13 and was a scoring machine. In his senior season, he averaged 21.8
points per game and was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year for
the second-straight season.
A few fun facts about Biloxi, Mississippi:
After being drafted in the second round in 2013, Canaan has played 224 games (6
starts) for four different teams. Just this year, he started 15 games with the
Suns and averaged 7.5 points, 3.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Canaan is an NBA-caliber player, clearly. Just two three seasons ago, he
averaged 15.5 points per 36 minutes.
Last February, Murray State actually retired Canaan’s No. 3 jersey. He was also
a D-League All-Star in 2014.
In 2017 with Chicago, Canaan played in three playoff games (starting one) and
averaged 11.7 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 35.7
percent from the 3-point line.
He suffered a nasty ankle fracture last on Jan. 31, 201 (don’t look it up) and
missed the rest of the season. He looks fully healthy now, though.
At six feet, Canaan might not be the biggest guy, but don’t let that fool you.
He’s more of a score-first point guard and he has the ability to hit the 3-point
shot. He’s a career 35.1 percent 3-point shooter on 4.5 attempts per game. Those
numbers aren’t wild, but as a defender, you have to respect his shot.
“He brings a shot-making ability. I’ve always liked Isaiah, just his toughness,”
Timberwolves interim head coach Ryan Saunders said Wednesday. “eI like that he’s
a guy who wants to give himself up for a team, and his ability to fight through
things… Him being able to play both on the ball on the ball and off the ball.
We like that as a group and we look forward to big things from him.”
With the Wolves shorthanded in the backcourt with injuries to Tyus Jones
(ankle), Jeff Teague (foot), Derrick Rose (ankle) and Rob Covington (knee) all
limiting Saunders’ options, expect Canaan to get opportunities with the Wolves
during his 10-day stint.
“Really looking forward to just getting out there and competing with these guys,
giving them more push,” Canaan said. “My biggest thing is winning… I’ve won a
lot of games throughout my career and that’s what I want to go down as is just
being a winner and a competitor.”
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