PHOTO: UK Athletics / Will Jamal Murray play for Canada this summer?
For the first time in almost a decade, the Canadian Men’s National Basketball Team will be participating in the FIBA World Cup in China this summer after clinching a spot in December of 2018.
Most of the qualifiers were scheduled during the NBA Regular Season, which meant that Canada’s roster was mostly made up of players who play professionally overseas. Regardless, players such as Kyle Wiltjer and Joel Anthony (players who have had stints in the NBA) were able to carry the load and clinch a spot for their country.
With the World Cup taking place in August, Canada Basketball’s new General Manager Rowan Barrett Sr. will have significantly deeper talent pool this time around, compared to 2010, the last time Canada played in the World Cup.
Canada will not have any sort of a “cakewalk” during round robin play, as their group is among the most competitive in the tournament. Senegal, Lithuania, and Australia are all teams who all have NBA talent and a large sum experience playing at the International level. With that being said, it will be interesting to see how Barrett will build a roster that can compete against their opponents during round robin play.
While it may be a difficult situation to cut ties with the players who helped Canada earn a spot in the tournament, it is Barrett’s job to pick the top 15 players to represent the Red and White, and if cutting those players in favor for NBA talent, than it is a decision that is worth biting the bullet for.
With all that into account and barring from any injury or any rejection of the invitation, here’s what Canada’s roster should look like in China this summer:
POINT GUARD
|
Jamal Murray |
Cory Joseph |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
Arguably Canada’s deepest position, while Jamal Murray elected not to play for Canada in the qualifiers, Canada will still have plenty to choose from, but if Murray decides to join Team Canada, the Point Guard position will be very imposing.
THE STARTER: Murray is one of the NBA’s rising stars, who was a main component of a Denver Nuggets team who recently finished 2nd in the Western Conference with one of the best records in the league. The former Kentucky Wildcat can score on all three levels and is also an underrated passer. For a Canada team that may not have a ton of knockdown shooters, Murray’s ability to connect from three will be very important if Canada wants to compete against the best of the best.
On the other hand, Cory Joseph (should and will be) the captain of Canada. Joseph has been nothing but loyal to Canada Basketball, accepting every opportunity to play for his country, and there is no doubt that he will be there in China this summer. With his experience and ability to run the offense with his high Basketball IQ and superb defense, Joseph will be the heart and soul of the team.
One of Canada’s many first-round picks in recent memory (and most recent first-round draft pick), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be able to play for the red and white this time around, after being busy with the draft process last year. The Los Angeles Clipper will have the opportunity to build on an impressive rookie season if he is invited.
The Hamilton Ontario native averaged 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists while playing 29 minutes a night for a Clippers team that worked their way into a playoff spot.
SHOOTING GUARD
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RJ Barrett |
Nik Stauskas |
Brady Heslip |
The Shooting Guard position raises a lot of question marks for Canada. RJ Barrett should be able to represent Canada (his father is the General Manager), however, the draft process tends to be grueling, meaning that it is not 100% that Barrett will be in China.
THE STARTER: After a historic season with Duke, RJ Barrett will hear his name early come June for the NBA Draft, as he is projected to be a top-3 pick. With Barrett’s ability to run the offense and facilitate and set up his teammates with his unique playmaking skills, not to mention Jamal Murray’s experience and capability to play off-the-ball, Barrett and Murray will form one of the best backcourts in the tournament.
It was a rough season for former Michigan star Nik Stauskas, who was shipped three times in a span of a week, before finally signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being waived. Stauskas has not played for Canada since 2014, however, playing for Canada this summer could help Stauskas regain his confidence and help put his career back on track.
Brady Heslip is one of the many players that play overseas that will compete for a spot on Canada’s roster. The knockdown shooter currently plays for Istanbul in the Turkish league, shooting 42% from three, but also has a G-League Championship on his resume, winning with the Raptors 905 in 2017. Consistent 3-point shooting is key in this tournament, and Heslip will be able to provide that for Canada.
SMALL FORWARD
|
Andrew Wiggins |
Dillon Brooks |
Melvin Ejim |
Due to Andrew Wiggins’ lack of commitment with Canada Basketball in the past, and Dillon Brooks’ season-ending toe injury which he suffered in February, the wing position is very up in the air at the moment for Canada. However, if all goes well, Canada should look to have formidable depth at the Small Forward position.
THE STARTER: Andrew Wiggins has currently hit a dry spell in his NBA career, as he has been unable to take that next step into becoming a reliable superstar for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Due to the magnitude and buzz that the FIBA World Cup brings, the Vaughan Ontario native (if he chooses to participate) will have the opportunity to prove critics wrong, and with a productive tournament, it could be the confidence booster that he needs to progress as an NBA player.
In the 2018-2019 season, Wiggins averaged 18 points and 4 rebounds in his 5th season with the Timberwolves.
After a rather impressive rookie campaign, it was an interesting sophomore season for Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks. Prior to his injury, Brooks was the focal piece in a trade between Memphis and the Phoenix Suns, where the Suns ultimately thought that they would acquire the former Oregon Duck star, however, due to the lack of communication between the two franchises, Brooks remained in Memphis. Brooks will be valuable to Canada, due to his ability to guard multiple positions and chip in offensively.
Melvin Ejim has bounced around all over Europe professionally and will provide the experience of playing FIBA Basketball, but as well as elite defensive ability, something that will be important that features the likes of Ben Simmons and Joe Ingles.
POWER FORWARD
|
Kelly Olynyk |
Trey Lyles |
Khem Birch |
In a group that has big men such as Domantas Sabonis, Jonas Valanciunas, Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut, and Thon Maker, both the Power Forward and Center positions will be very critical in who will take home the top of the group.
THE STARTER: After another solid season with the Miami Heat, Kelly Olynyk has solidified himself as an everyday NBA rotational player. Olynyk was easily Canada’s most consistent player when he on the floor during the qualifiers, and he will need to be Canada’s ‘swiss army knife’ if they plan on going deep into the tournament. Playing 22 minutes a night, Olynyk averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds, while shooting 46% from the field with the Heat this season.
Trey Lyles has been an efficient player since entering the league in 2015. Now a member of the Denver Nuggets, in only 17 minutes a night, Lyles averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds and is an important piece to Denver’s bench. Born in Saskatchewan, Lyles will need to provide quality minutes to relieve pressure off of Olynyk.
Once a teammate of fellow Canadian and former first overall pick Anthony Bennett at UNLV, Khem Birch has had quite the journey before finding a home with the Orlando Magic.
After foregoing his senior season with the Runnin’ Rebels to enter the NBA Draft, Birch went undrafted and played in the NBA G-League (formerly the D-League), where he would become a member of the all-star team, all-rookie team, and the all-defensive team with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He would later play in Greece before the Orlando Magic signed him as a free-agent. Birch’s hustle and aggressive defense make him an asset for Jay Triano.
CENTER
|
Tristan Thompson |
Dwight Powell |
Chris Boucher |
As mentioned previously, Canada will have their hands full with the high-quality big men that are playing in their group, meaning that the Center position will be very interesting to see how Canada’s selection committee will handle the position.
THE STARTER: One of three players who have an NBA title to their name on this projected roster, Tristan Thompson has established himself as one of the best scrappy players in the league. Thompson will do what he does best for this Canadian roster, grab those hard-fought rebounds and loose balls while playing tough defense and chip in a little offensively.
Dwight Powell has been in and out of the lineup recently as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. The former Stanford Cardinal has been consistent with the Mavericks, shooting 60% from the field, averaging 10 points in 2018-2019. Powell’s two-way play (more so as a bruiser) will be very key in attempting to minimize the play of the big men found in this group.
Also with an NBA ring, Chris Boucher signed a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors this past off-season and how put his name on the map with his play in 2018-2019. Boucher earned every possible award that could be won in the G-League in 2019, winning Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and made the All-NBA G-League first team. Boucher’s length and shot-blocking ability will be something that Canada will need to use this summer.
Just missed the cut: Andrew Nembhard (Florida Gators NCAA), Justin Jackson (Lakeland Magic G-League), Phil Scrubb (St. Petersburg VTB), Thomas Scrubb (Pallacanestro Varese LBA)
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