Basketball Canada has announced the Olympic training camp roster for the men's national team competing in the upcoming Paris Games. Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moves around Argentina's Facundo Campazzo during 2nd half action of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers in Victoria, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
TORONTO - Rowan Barrett, the general manager of Canada Basketball, made it clear that the men’s team aims for gold at the Paris Olympics.
“We are going to Paris to win,” Barrett stated.
Headlining the 20-man training camp roster are NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins, and Jamal Murray. Canada Basketball announced the roster on Wednesday, with the training camp set for June 28 to July 7 in Toronto.
This comes after a historic 2023 where Canada won its first-ever medal at a FIBA World Cup, securing bronze by defeating the United States last September in Manila, Philippines.
Canada qualified for the Olympics with a quarterfinal victory over Spain at the tournament. The upcoming Paris Games will mark the men's team's first Olympic appearance since the Sydney Games in 2000.
Ranked seventh, the Canadians are placed in Group A with Australia and the winners of Olympic qualifying tournaments in Spain and Greece. Their first game will be against the Spain tournament winner on July 27 in Lille, France.
Despite 14 players committing to the program back in 2022, Barrett emphasized the importance of bringing in the best players, regardless of prior commitments, to enhance team cohesion and continuity.
Barrett acknowledged the need to strengthen the roster defensively.
“From last year’s World Cup, we saw areas needing improvement,” Barrett said at a press conference at the OVO Athletic Centre. “Reaching the top of the podium involves significant challenges. We had to look beyond our core athletes to the entire player pool to meet these needs.”
Wiggins, who had not made a prior commitment, was included in the roster. The 10-year NBA veteran and champion last played for Canada in the 2021 Olympic qualifying tournament. Despite past criticism for his inconsistent commitment, Wiggins expressed a desire to compete in the Games.
“Andrew Wiggins is a pro,” Barrett said. “He has always performed well with us. A healthy Andrew Wiggins is an exceptional player.”
However, long-time guards Cory Joseph and Kevin Pangos, part of the 14-player commitment group, were not invited to the camp. Barrett admitted that informing players they were not invited or being cut was challenging.
“We love these guys,” Barrett said. “But we must assemble the strongest possible roster to compete successfully at the Olympics in Paris.”
Twelve of the 20 players are NBA athletes, with that number likely increasing as center Zach Edey is expected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
Barrett confirmed that all players are expected at the camp, including Murray, who did not compete at the World Cup due to a rigorous NBA season.
“Jamal Murray is ready and eager to be here,” Barrett said. “We’ll manage his and other athletes’ conditions to ensure they’re prepared for Paris.”
The Canada Olympic men’s basketball team training camp roster includes 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, and Andrew Wiggins.
