Isaiah Canaan- Murray State University/ Houston Rockets

“With the thirty-fourth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select Isaiah Canaan from Murray State University.”

These nineteen words are simply said by NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, yet they are life changing for the 6’1” guard from Biloxi, Mississippi.

 “I have a lot of big wins under my belt,” Canaan said shortly before the draft as for why teams should pick him over other players, “I’m a great leader, and I have a great personality. I’m going to compete and give 110% every night and go out there and go to war with anyone who is put beside me.”

During his time at Murray State, Canaan helped lead the Racers to three overseas tournament championships along with two trips to the NCAA tournament in 2010 and 2012.  In the 2012-2013 season, Canaan and the Racers finished with a 21-10 record— albeit missing the ballot for the 2013 NCAA tournament. Canaan also finished the season leading the Ohio Valley Conference with 20.8 points per game.

“The Murray State coaching staff helped with my development as a player a lot,” says Canaan, “They showed me the ropes. They taught me the right ways to do things and how to become a leader. I really appreciate everything that they did for me.”

Since a young age, Canaan has shown elite basketball skills that have helped get him to the position that he is in today, with the opportunity to play alongside NBA greats James Harden and Dwight Howard with the Houston Rockets.

“Basketball runs in my family,” says Canaan, “I started playing at the age of six. My dad just gave me a ball and told me to see what I could do with it.”

Soon after realizing the potential he had, Canaan began playing with older age groups in his early leagues.

He says, “I was always fortunate enough to be good growing up. Playing in age groups that were older than me helped shape my aggression today. The guys I played against were always bigger than me. In order for me to stand out, I had to be aggressive so I could just show that I was capable of playing along with them.”

Canaan is a self-proclaimed shooter.

Giving a personal scouting report, he says, “You’ve just got to play him honest. Try to make him finish at the goal. Keep the ball out of his hands.”

A similar style of play and physical build, Canaan looks to Los Angeles Clippers’ point guard and six-time NBA all star, Chris Paul, as a role model.

Canaan says, “I think I model my game after Chris Paul. We are about the same height. He can shoot the basketball. I can shoot the basketball. He knows how to pass. I can pass. We both play the same position. He’s been very successful at the position and the level that he’s been playing at. I model my game after him. I talk to him all of the time and just try to figure out ways to be successful at the highest level.”

Although he has had much success, Canaan does see some aspects of his game that he can improve upon as he enters into the next chapter of his basketball career.

“I’m just trying to improve my lateral quickness on the defensive end, so I can guard the Russell Westbrooks, the Derrick Roses, the Chris Pauls, the Rajon Rondos and just some of those elite guards in the league. I want to be able to harass them and stay in front of them and make a name for myself.”

Canaan’s goal as he enters the highest level of play in his basketball career is quite simple: SUCCESS.

“I just want to be as successful as possible,” he says, “I want to be an all-star and try to win as many championships as I can. All of the individual awards that come along the way are just a bonus.”

Now, Canaan will play with the Rockets pre-season team in the hopes of continuing his career with the team into the regular season. After signing an offseason deal with NBA superstar Dwight Howard and entering their second season with James Harden, the Rockets are a top contender for the Western Conference Finals. Adding Canaan to their bench will put up a strong backup for current point guard, Jeremy Lin. However, Canaan could move to the starting position sometime later in the season.

“I think I’ve done pretty good, so far,” he says, “Hopefully, I’ve opened up a lot of eyes, and I will continue to take advantage of every opportunity that’s given to me.”

For now, Canaan says, his focus will be to “keep doing the right things on and off the court, work hard every day, and stay humble.”