Cory Ephram Joseph (born August 20, 1991) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the point guard position and was previously the captain of the Canadian national team.[1]

Cory Joseph
Joseph with the Indiana Pacers in 2018
No. 10 – Orlando Magic
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1991-08-20) August 20, 1991 (age 33)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeTexas (2010–2011)
NBA draft2011: 1st round, 29th overall pick
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career2011–present
Career history
20112015San Antonio Spurs
2012–2013Austin Toros
20152017Toronto Raptors
20172019Indiana Pacers
20192021Sacramento Kings
20212023Detroit Pistons
2023–2024Golden State Warriors
2024–presentOrlando Magic
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Canada
FIBA AmeriCup
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Mexico City National team
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Formosa National team

Early life and family

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Joseph was born in Toronto, Ontario,[2] the youngest of four children of Connie and David Joseph, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago.[3][4] He grew up in nearby Pickering in a basketball family; his parents met as student athletes at Mount Royal College while playing for their respective men's and women's basketball teams.[3] His father won a CCAA national championship, playing for the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and later coached at the high school, college, and professional levels.[5] His mother coached and refereed at various levels. Joseph has two older sisters, Chantal and Danielle, and an older brother, Devoe,[3] who played in college for Minnesota and Oregon, and currently plays professionally in Europe.

Two of Joseph's second cousins also played college basketball: Kris played for Syracuse and was selected in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, while Maurice played for Michigan State and Vermont, and formerly served as the head coach of George Washington University. Another cousin of Joseph's, Ashton Khan, is also a professional basketball player who plays in the British Basketball League.[6]

As a youth, Joseph and fellow future NBA player Kelly Olynyk were both on a Scarborough Blues club team that rarely lost in the late 1990s and early 2000s. One defeat came against rival Toronto 5–0, led by Stephen Curry.[7]

High school career

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Joseph attended Pickering High School in Ajax, Ontario.[4] He and his brother Devoe led the school's AAAA basketball team to back-to-back Ontario provincial championships in 2007 and 2008,[4][8] defeating Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute both years in the championship game. Their father served as the team's assistant coach during that time.[5] In 2008, he and Devoe were selected to play in the annual All-Canada Classic, which showcases the top high school players in Canada.

Later that year, at age 16, Joseph transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada with Tristan Thompson, his close friend and AAU teammate.[3] He increased his recruiting demand by leading Findlay Prep to the ESPN RISE National High School Invitational championship game in 2009, alongside Thompson and Avery Bradley, in which #2 ranked Findlay Prep defeated #1 ranked Oak Hill Academy, 74–66. He was named to the ESPN RISE All-Tournament Team. In August 2009, Joseph was selected to play in the fourth annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 basketball game at Rucker Park in Harlem, New York City. The game showcases the top 24 high school basketball players in the U.S. regardless of recruiting class.

In his senior year, Joseph and Thompson led #2 ranked Findlay Prep to a second consecutive ESPN RISE National High School Invitational championship in 2010, when they defeated #1 ranked Montverde Academy, 59–46. He was named to the ESPN RISE All-Tournament Team for the second consecutive year and was also named tournament MVP. He was ranked as the #7 prospect nationally by Rivals.com and #11 in the ESPNU 100 following the season, in which he averaged 18.8 points, 4.9 assists, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.[9] Joseph then played in the 2010 McDonald's All-American Game.[10] He also won the McDonald's Three Point Competition and was named a Jordan Brand Classic All-American.[11] On April 11, 2010, he played for the World Select Team at the Nike Hoop Summit, against the United States Junior Select Team. The game was held at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The World Select Team lost, 101–97. Twelve days later, Joseph committed to the University of Texas, joining Thompson.[12]

College career

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Joseph with the Texas Longhorns, 2010

Joseph started all 36 games in his freshman season, leading the team in scoring four times and in rebounding twice. Joseph played one of his best games on December 18, 2010, recording a season-high 21 points and a game-winning jumper against North Carolina.[13] Texas entered 2011 NCAA March Madness as the fourth seed in the West Regional Division. Texas lost to fifth-seeded Arizona in the third round with a standout performance and game-winning shot from Derrick Williams.[14] Following the end of the season, Joseph declared for the NBA draft and was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team.[9]

Professional career

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San Antonio Spurs (2011–2015)

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On June 23, 2011, Joseph was drafted 29th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs.[15] Fellow Canadian and Longhorn, Thompson, was drafted fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the highest Canadian born draftee in NBA history at that point.[16] (Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins both went first overall in the 2013 and 2014 drafts respectively.) It was also the second time in NBA history that two Canadians were selected in the first round of the same draft, the first being in 1983 when Leo Rautins and Stewart Granger were selected 17th and 25th, respectively.[17] The 2011 draft was also the first time three Texas Longhorn basketball players went in the first round after Joseph's former collegiate teammate Jordan Hamilton went 26th overall to Dallas Mavericks.[18]

During the 2011–12 season, the Spurs assigned Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League three times.[19] He was also assigned to the Toros during the 2012–13 season.[20] On February 4, 2013, Joseph was named to the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[21] However, due to injury, he was replaced by Justin Dentmon.[22]

In late February 2013, Tony Parker sustained an injury, and Joseph became the Spurs' starting point guard. In his first five starts, Joseph averaged 8.8 points and 2.6 assists while shooting 58.6 percent. Joseph helped the Spurs reach the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, but San Antonio lost the series in seven games.[23]

On June 15, 2014, Joseph won his first NBA championship after the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat 4 games to 1 in the 2014 NBA Finals.

On June 30, 2015, the Spurs extended a qualifying offer to Joseph in order to make him a restricted free agent but, on July 5, the team withdrew their qualifying offer.[24]

Toronto Raptors (2015–2017)

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On July 9, 2015, Joseph signed a four-year, $30 million contract with his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors.[25][26] He made his debut for the Raptors in their season opener on October 28, 2015, recording three points and two rebounds in a 106–99 win over the Indiana Pacers.[27] Over his first few games with the Raptors, Joseph began to flourish in his role as backup point guard, averaging a career-high 23 minutes per game. On November 6, 2015, he scored a season-high 19 points against the Orlando Magic, one off his career high of 20.[28] On November 28, 2015, he scored 12 points and made a three-pointer at the buzzer following a well-worked inbounds play, lifting the Raptors an 84–82 win over the Washington Wizards.[29] The Raptors finished the regular season as the second seed in the East with a 56–26 record. On April 16, 2016, Joseph scored a playoff career-high 18 points in a Game 1 loss to the seventh-seeded Indiana Pacers in the first round.[30]

On January 17, 2017, Joseph scored a career-high 33 points in a 119–109 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[31] On March 27, 2017, he had his first career double-double with 15 points and a career-high 13 assists in a 131–112 win over the Orlando Magic.[32] On May 7, 2017, in Game 4 of the Raptors' second-round playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Joseph had 20 points and 12 assists while starting in place of the injured Kyle Lowry; the Raptors were defeated 109–102 to bow out of the playoffs in a clean sweep, losing 4–0 to the Cavaliers.[33]

Indiana Pacers (2017–2019)

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On July 14, 2017, Joseph was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the draft rights of Emir Preldžić.[34] In his debut for the Pacers in their season opener on October 18, 2017, Joseph scored 11 points in a 140–131 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[35]

On February 9, 2019, Joseph had 10 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in a 105–90 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.[36]

Sacramento Kings (2019–2021)

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On July 6, 2019, Joseph signed with the Sacramento Kings.[37]

On January 30, 2020, Joseph scored a season-high 16 points, while also getting two rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one block in an 124–103 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers.[38]

Detroit Pistons (2021–2023)

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On March 26, 2021, Joseph was traded to the Detroit Pistons, along with two future second-round draft picks, in exchange for Delon Wright.[39]

On July 31, 2021, Joseph was waived by the Pistons.[40] On August 11, 2021, Joseph was re-signed by the Pistons.[41]

Golden State Warriors (2023–2024)

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On July 6, 2023, Joseph signed with the Golden State Warriors.[42]

On February 8, 2024, Joseph was traded to the Indiana Pacers[43] and was subsequently waived.[44]

Orlando Magic (2024–present)

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On July 19, 2024, Joseph signed with the Orlando Magic.[45]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship  *  Led the league

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 San Antonio 29 1 9.2 .314 .200 .647 .9 1.2 .2 .1 2.0
2012–13 San Antonio 28 9 13.9 .464 .286 .857 1.9 1.9 .5 .1 4.5
2013–14 San Antonio 68 19 13.8 .475 .316 .823 1.6 1.7 .5 .2 5.0
2014–15 San Antonio 79 14 18.3 .504 .364 .734 2.4 2.4 .6 .2 6.8
2015–16 Toronto 80 4 25.6 .439 .273 .764 2.6 3.1 .8 .3 8.5
2016–17 Toronto 80 22 25.0 .452 .356 .770 3.0 3.3 .8 .2 9.3
2017–18 Indiana 82* 17 27.0 .424 .353 .745 3.2 3.2 1.0 .2 7.9
2018–19 Indiana 82* 9 25.2 .412 .322 .698 3.4 3.9 1.1 .3 6.5
2019–20 Sacramento 72 26 24.4 .415 .352 .857 2.6 3.5 .7 .3 6.4
2020–21 Sacramento 44 2 21.5 .444 .330 .766 2.3 2.5 .9 .2 6.6
Detroit 19 11 26.4 .506 .368 .878 3.2 5.5 1.2 .5 12.0
2021–22 Detroit 65 39 24.6 .445 .414 .885 2.7 3.6 .6 .3 8.0
2022–23 Detroit 62 2 19.8 .427 .389 .792 1.7 3.5 .6 .3 6.9
2023–24 Golden State 26 0 11.4 .359 .310 .571 1.2 1.6 .2 .1 2.4
Career 816 175 21.7 .441 .349 .786 2.5 3.0 .7 .2 6.9

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013 San Antonio 20 0 9.6 .464 .182 .455 1.6 1.2 .3 .1 3.0
2014 San Antonio 17 0 5.1 .486 .000 .778 .5 .5 .2 .0 2.8
2015 San Antonio 4 0 5.5 .833 .500 .3 .0 .0 .3 2.8
2016 Toronto 20 0 22.6 .466 .333 .750 2.1 2.4 .9 .1 8.5
2017 Toronto 10 2 21.2 .437 .409 1.000 2.1 3.1 .4 .2 7.9
2018 Indiana 7 0 20.4 .364 .273 1.000 2.4 3.0 1.3 .3 4.7
2019 Indiana 4 0 21.3 .500 .444 1.000 1.8 1.0 1.0 .0 7.5
Career 82 2 14.5 .461 .325 .759 1.5 1.7 .5 .1 5.2

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Texas 36 36 32.4 .422 .413 .699 3.6 3.0 1.0 0.3 10.4

National team career

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Joseph with the Canadian national team, 2018

Joseph represented his country and Canada Basketball at the 2008 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, where Canada won the bronze medal, placing behind Argentina and the United States. Joseph once again competed for Canada at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand.

Joseph joined the Canadian men's national basketball team for stage two of their pre-2011 FIBA Americas Championship training camp in early August.[46] He made his senior national team debut at the 2011 Jack Donohue International Classic, on August 13, 2011, at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) against Belgium. In Joseph's debut, he posted 3 points and 2 assists in 15 minutes of game time in a 79–74 victory.[47]

At the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, he led the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game,[48] playing alongside his brother, Devoe.

Prior to the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, Joseph was named captain of the national team.[1] In the bronze medal game against Mexico, Joseph hit a buzzer-beating shot that gave Canada an 87–86 victory.[49] He led the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila in points and assists with 77 points and 17 assists (4.3 APG) in four games.[50] Joseph also played for Canada during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China after playing three games in the Americas qualifying tournament to help Canada advance to the World Cup.

On May 24, 2022, Joseph agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.[51]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Canada's Cory Joseph upset, but not worried". Toronto Sun. August 28, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  2. ^ Cory Joseph Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed on February 1, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Mom's the word for GTA hoops stars Toronto Star. Accessed on February 1, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Cory Joseph in Raptors jersey a 'dream come true' Sportsnet.ca. Accessed on February 1, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Assistant Coach: David Joseph Archived April 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine CentennialCollege.ca. Accessed on February 1, 2016.
  6. ^ Worcester Wolves ace Ashton Khan notices shot clock reduction after move from USA
  7. ^ Ebner, David (August 28, 2015). "Canada's quest for elite basketball status begins in Toronto". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  8. ^ OFSAA Past Champions Boys' Basketball Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine OFSAA. Accessed on February 1, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Cory Joseph – Biography NBA.com. Accessed on February 16, 2016.
  10. ^ "McDonald's High School Basketball All American Teams".
  11. ^ "2010 Jordan Brand All-American Team". Archived from the original on July 26, 2010.
  12. ^ "Joseph will join Thompson at Texas". April 23, 2010.
  13. ^ "Joseph's jumper pushes Texas past UNC".
  14. ^ Arizona vs. Texas: Wildcats Advance, Defeating Longhorns 70–69 – SB Nation Arizona
  15. ^ Spurs take Texas' Joseph with 29th pick
  16. ^ 1953 NBA Draft | Basketball-Reference.com
  17. ^ 1983 NBA Draft | Basketball-Reference.com
  18. ^ Orange rush: 3 Horns taken in NBA draft's 1st round for first time
  19. ^ "2011–12 Assignments". Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  20. ^ "2012–13 NBA Assignments". Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  21. ^ 2013 NBA Development League All-Star Game Rosters Announced Archived October 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ "Dentmon, Leslie Named Replacements for the NBA Development League All-Star Game". Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  23. ^ Spurs Notebook: Joseph Making Most of Fill-in-time for Parker
  24. ^ Spurs Pull Qualifying Offer To Cory Joseph
  25. ^ "Raptors Sign Cory Joseph". NBA.com. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  26. ^ Chris Broussard and Brian Windhorst (July 6, 2015). "Cory Joseph, Toronto Raptors agree to four-year, $30 million deal". ESPN. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  27. ^ "DeRozan scores 25, Lowry has 23, Raptors beat Pacers 106-99". NBA.com. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  28. ^ Cory Joseph thriving in role with Raptors
  29. ^ "Joseph beats buzzer with 3 as Raptors beat Wizards 84-82". Archived from the original on December 1, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  30. ^ "George scores 33 as Pacers beat Raptors 100-90 in Game 1". Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  31. ^ "DeRozan scores 36, Raptors hand Nets 11th straight loss". ESPN.com. January 17, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  32. ^ "DeRozan scores 36, Raptors top Magic 131-112 for 6th in row". ESPN.com. March 27, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  33. ^ "LeBron James scores 35 points, Cavaliers sweep Raptors". ESPN.com. May 7, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  34. ^ "Pacers Acquire Cory Joseph in Trade with Raptors". NBA.com. July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  35. ^ "Revamped Pacers rely on new faces to cut down Nets 140-131". ESPN.com. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  36. ^ "Bogdanovic leads Pacers past Cavaliers for 5th straight win". ESPN.com. February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  37. ^ "Kings Sign Cory Joseph". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  38. ^ "Kings win 1st hoops game at Staples since Kobe's death". ABC News. January 30, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  39. ^ "Detroit Pistons Acquire Cory Joseph and Two Second-Round Picks From Sacramento Kings In Exchange For Delon Wright". NBA.com. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  40. ^ Sankofa II, Omari (July 31, 2021). "Detroit Pistons waive Cory Joseph, Deividas Sirvydis and Tyler Cook ahead of free agency". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  41. ^ "Detroit Pistons Re-Sign Cory Joseph". NBA.com. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  42. ^ "Warriors Sign Free Agent Guard Cory Joseph". NBA.com. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  43. ^ "Indiana Pacers Complete Trade with Golden State Warriors". NBA.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  44. ^ "Indiana Pacers Waive Cory Joseph, Sign James Johnson". NBA.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  45. ^ "Orlando Magic Sign Free Agent Cory Joseph". NBA.com. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  46. ^ "Cory Joseph suits up for Canada as NBA lockout threatens rookie season". The Globe and Mail. August 12, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  47. ^ "Team Canada Outlasts Belgium at 2011 Jack Donohue Classic". BasketballBuzz.ca. August 13, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  48. ^ 2013 FIBA Americas Championship For Men Archived February 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine FIBA. Accessed on February 7, 2016.
  49. ^ "Joseph's buzzer-beater drives Canada to FIBA Americas bronze". Sportsnet.ca. August 28, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  50. ^ "Players statistics of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016". FIBA.basketball.
  51. ^ "FOURTEEN ATHLETES COMMITTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AS SENIOR MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM SUMMER CORE REVEALED". Canada Basketball. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
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