Heading into Paris this summer, with hopes of gold, team Canada has announced its senior men's basketball training camp roster.
“Today is a truly great moment for Canada Basketball and our Senior Men’s National Team,” said Rowan Barrett, general manager and executive vice-president of the senior men's program. “Each of these players is prepared to proudly represent our country in Paris, and we’re looking forward to regrouping next week in Toronto to begin what I believe will unify Canadians across the country this summer."
There are 12 players currently on NBA rosters included in the list, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP finalist and top-scorer for Canada's bronze medal team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, spearheading the 20 players invited to camp.
Continuity appears to be a top priority for Canada, bringing back all 12 players from the World Cup squad. Reuniting Gilgeous-Alexander with notable running mates RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks and Kelly Olynyk who all helped the country secure it's first men's World Cup medal.
It won't all look the same, however, as a handful of other canucks have been invited ahead of the men's first Olympic appearance since 2000.
Jamal Murray, who withdrew from the World Cup during last year's training camp to recover from an NBA title run, and Andrew Wiggins, who hasn't suited up for his country since 2020, are among the other names to possibly wear red-and-white this summer.
“While winning bronze at the World Cup last summer was an important first step for our team, it also showed that we still have work to do as a group,” said Jordi Fernandez, Head Coach of Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team. “If you ask anyone within our team and program, we have a constant drive to improve and will work tirelessly throughout training camp and our exhibition schedule to fully prepare to achieve our ultimate goal at the Paris Olympics.”
Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin and Shaedon Sharpe will also attend training camp to gain valuable Senior Men’s National Team experience but won't compete for roster spots this summer as the pair recover from injury.
Once camp concludes in Toronto, the squad will head to Las Vegas and face USA basketball in an exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena on July 10. It'll be the first matchup between the two countries since Canada secured a 127-118 win over their southern neighbours to capture a bronze medal last August.
Fans in Canada can catch all the action live on Sportsnet.
Here is the full list:
Kyle Alexander
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
RJ Barrett
Trae Bell-Haynes
Khem Birch
Oshae Brissett
Dillon Brooks
Luguentz Dort
Zach Edey
Melvin Ejim
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Mfiondu Kabengele
Trey Lyles
Jamal Murray
Andrew Nembhard
Kelly Olynyk
Dwight Powell
Phil Scrubb
Thomas Scrubb
Andrew Wiggins
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