Canada’s National Men’s Basketball Team Announces Preliminary Roster
On Monday, Canada’s national men’s basketball team announced the selection of its preliminary roster, prominently featuring two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This roster is set to represent the country in the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. The team faces important qualifying matches over the next month, with Canada scheduled to play against Puerto Rico and Jamaica in Ontario, followed by additional qualifiers in Quebec City on August 31.
Notable Players and Absences
In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the roster includes several notable NBA athletes such as:
- Luguentz Dort
- RJ Barrett from the Toronto Raptors
- Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns
- Bennedict Mathurin from the Los Angeles Clippers
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Atlanta Hawks
However, some key players, including Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets and Andrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat, have been left out. Their absence is a result of new guidelines set forth by Team Canada’s coach Gordie Herbert and general manager Rowan Barrett, which stipulate that any athlete unable to commit to a three-year dedication towards the World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics will not be part of the national squad.
“If guys don’t commit this summer, they’re not in,” emphasized Herbert during a recent press conference.
Looking Ahead
The Canadian team is looking to build on its performance from the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where they secured a bronze medal. Despite falling short in the quest for a medal at the 2024 Olympics after a quarterfinal exit against France, Canada is focusing on capturing top talent willing to fully invest in the national program.
Herbert reflected on the need for a dedicated group by saying, “To a certain extent, in the past, we used to say with the national team, get our best players to play. It’s not enough. You need your best group of players to come in to the national team, commit to the program, commit to the time date.” He added, “My definition of commitment is this: a player who is focused on what he can give. These are the players we want.”
