NBA notes: Carter inches closer to top 25

Vince Carter is in his 19th NBA season and hopes to play 20, which would put him in some pretty select company.

It will also rocket him up a lot of career-best record lists; he moved up one list on opening night when the Memphis Grizzlies forward played in the 1,275th game of his career.

That put him 26th all-time, surpassing Terry Porter. If Carter plays in 65 or more games this season, he’s going to be near the top 10. A.C. Green, at 1,278, is next.

No. 1 Robert Parish, with 1,611 games played, is out of reach.

We’re No. 1: According to figures released by the league this week, Canada has the most international players in the NBA, with 11, the third straight season the country has topped the list. Frances is second with 10 and Brazil has nine.

There were 113 international players on opening night rosters this year, the most ever. Making the grade: Among those Canadians on opening night roster was one name that was mildly surprising. Kyle Wiltjer, who went undrafted last June, survived training camp to stick with the Houston Rockets, primarily because he fits perfectly with what new coach Mike D’Antoni wants to do.

“He has two NBA skills,” D’Antoni said of Wiltjer, the son of longtime Canadian national team standout Greg Wiltjer. “One is shooting, which is off the charts and is not just an NBA skill but a top-level NBA skill . . . The second thing is he really knows how to play offensively. He has a great feel for the game.” Doug Smith