The Canadian men can qualify directly for the 2024 Olympic Games with a place among the first two teams from America.
TORONTO (AP) – Jamal Murray of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets is at the helm of the extended roster for the senior Canadian basketball team.
Canada Basketball announced the lineup Thursday night ahead of the FIBA World Championship.
Murray will be joined by several other NBA players on the Canada team, including Oklahoma City Thunder All-NBA draft Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Swingmen Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Minnesota Timberwolves and RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks were also called to the roster. Dillon Brooks, who was just traded from Memphis to Houston, and college basketball player of the year Zach Edey were also among the 18 players selected.
The World Cup is scheduled from August 25 to September 10, when the squad will have to be reduced to 12.
The group stages will take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, with the final stage taking place in the Philippine capital, Manila.
Canada are in Group H and meet France, Lebanon and Latvia in the group stage in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Canadian men can qualify directly for the 2024 Olympic Games with a place among the first two teams from America. Canada is currently ranked 15th in the FIBA World Rankings.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”