With Shai Gilegous-Alexander and Jamal Murray as strengths, Canada defines the team that heads to Paris 2024
(Photo: reproduction Twitter / Canada Basketball)
Canada Basketball announced, this Wednesday (10), the 12 players who will represent the Canadian men’s basketball team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, starting July 27, when the team will make its debut in the competition against Greece.
Point guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets) and RJ Barrett (Toronto Raptors), wingers Luguentz Dort (Thunder) and Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets) and center Kelly Olynyk (Raptors) are among highlights from the call-up, which includes ten current NBA players.
The Canadians began their preparation with 20 potential players for the competition, in addition to others present only in training, and made cuts throughout the days. Andrew Wiggins (Golden State Warriors ban) and Zach Edey (preferred to focus on preparing for the NBA) were the first to leave. In addition to them, Trae Bell-Haynes, Oshae Brissett, Phil Scrubb, Thomas Scrubb, Mfiondu Kabengele and Kyle Alexander were the others released.
The Canadian team will return to compete in the Olympics in men’s basketball after 24 years. The team earned a direct berth after finishing the 2023 World Cup in third place, the top team from the Americas in the competition after beating the United States in the bronze medal match.
The team trained in Canada between June 28 and July 7 and left for the United States, where they will play a friendly match against the local team this Wednesday in Las Vegas. The team then travels to France and plays friendly matches against France (July 19) and Puerto Rico (July 21). Canada will then make its Olympic debut against Greece, then face Australia (July 30) and Spain (August 2).
Discover the 12 Canadian players called for the Olympic Games:
Shipowners
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder/USA
Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets/United States
RJ Barrett – Toronto Raptors/USA
Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Minnesota Timberwolves/United States
Andrew Nembhard – Indiana Pacers/United States
Wings
Luguentz Dort – Oklahoma City Thunder/United States
Dillon Brooks – Houston Rockets/United States
Melvin Ejim – Unicaja Málaga/ESP
Pivots
Kelly Olynyk – Toronto Raptors/USA
Dwight Powell – Dallas Mavericks/United States
Trey Lyles – Sacramento Kings/United States
Birch of Khem – Girona Basquet/ESP
(Photo: reproduction Twitter / Canada Basketball)
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