TORONTO – Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray is at the helm of the expanded Canadian senior basketball team.
Murray helped the Nuggets win the NBA championship last season. Canada Basketball announced the roster Thursday night ahead of the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup.
“We are pleased to announce tonight the players who have been added to our training camp roster for next month’s FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup,” said Rowan Barrett, general manager of the Canadian senior men’s program. “The team will consist of players who will play in both the summer and winter core in the current Olympic four-man team.
“The familiarity, continuity and consistency that this group brings will be critical as we pursue our goal of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder will support Murray in Canada’s backcourt.
Swingmen Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves and RJ Barrett from the New York Knicks were also added to the squad.
Kyle Alexander, Trae Bell-Haynes, Oshae Brissett, Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort, Zach Edey, Melvin Ejim, Cory Joseph, Kelly Olynyk, Kevin Pangos, Dwight Powell, Kassius Robertson and Phil and Thomas Scrubb round out the roster.
The 32-team Men’s Basketball World Cup will take place from August 25th to September 10th.
The group phase will take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, with the final phase taking place in the Philippine capital Manila.
Canada is in Group H and will face France, Lebanon and Latvia in the group stage in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Canadian men can qualify directly for the 2024 Paris Olympics if they finish in the top two among teams from the Americas at the 2023 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup.
Canada is currently ranked 15th in the FIBA World Rankings.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2023.
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