Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander make Team Canada roster

On3 imageby:Zack Geoghegan05/25/22

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The Canadian Men’s National team will feature a pair of former Wildcats in the program’s efforts to qualify for next summer’s FIBA World Cup.

On Tuesday, it was announced by Canada Basketball that two one-time Kentucky hoopers, Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will suit up as part of the core roster ahead of the third qualifying window. All 14 players named to the roster have agreed to a three-year commitment with the Canadian Men’s National Team. This group is complementary to the winter core roster, as this is the squad Canada will use to hopefully make the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Currently ranked 18th in the world, Canada will next play from June 30 through July 4 of this summer. They will face the Dominican Republic (No. 20 in the world) on July 1 and the Virgin Islands (No. 57) on July 4.

Murray, 25, previously played for Team Canada during the 2013 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Uruguay and then again in 2015 at the Pan American Games, helping win a silver medal.

Murray has not played in an NBA game for the Denver Nuggets since tearing his ACL in April 2021. However, he is expected to be at full strength for this summer’s qualifiers.

Gilgeous-Alexander, 23, also previously played for Team Canada earlier in his basketball career. The Toronto native participated in the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in Chile, fitting in as a key contributor en route to a silver medal. Additionally, SGA, who now suits up for the Oklahoma City Thunder, played for Team Canada at the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila.

Despite both former ‘Cats holding previous international experience, this will be their first run with the Men’s Senior Team. Both are viewed as two of the top players aged 25 or younger in the entire NBA. They initially declined a deal with Team Canada back in 2019, but have decided to represent their country this time around.

Another fellow one-time Kentucky player, Kyle Wiltjer, was part of the winter core roster for Team Canada. The 29-year-old Portland native recently won a professional championship in Spain playing for Lenovo Tenerife.

Only seven of the 16 teams from the Americas will have a chance to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The qualifying windows close in February 2023.

Canada Men’s National Team roster

Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Utah Jazz
RJ Barrett – New York Knicks
Khem Birch – Toronto Raptors
Oshae Brissett – Indiana Pacers
Dillon Brooks – Memphis Grizzlies
Zach Edey – Purdue
Melvin Ejim – Cedevita Olimpija
Luguentz Dort – Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Kelly Olynyk – Detroit Pistons
Cory Joseph – Detroit Pistons
Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets
Dwight Powell – Dallas Mavericks
Kevin Pangos – CSKA Moscow

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2024-03-28