Team Canada Basketball: Roster, Schedule, and Everything About FIBA WC Finalists Ahead of Paris Olympics 2024

Team Canada can easily be the closest team linked to the NBA after Team USA. Apart from having a franchise in the league, the Toronto Raptors, the nation has also produced several superstars. And, over time, they have emerged as a great threat to the other balling nations. Especially, last year, the team broke US fans’ hearts after snatching the Bronze medal in the 2023 FIBA WC. Months later, the team has been gearing up for the Paris Olympics 2024.

One of the important aspects of Team Canada is their star-studded roster spearheaded by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The OKC Thunder superstar, who came off a career-best season a few months ago, will be the X factor. The star not only dropped back-to-back 30+ PPGs but also took his young team to the Conference semi-final after 8 years. Moreover, he finished runner-up in the MVP race against the Denver Nuggets star, Nikola Jokić.

Speaking of the Joker, the Siberian big man’s Robin, Jamal Murray, also has a crucial spot in the roster. The Nuggets guard had an impressive postseason, averaging 21.1 ppg. Notably, Bubble Murray left the LA Lakers in heartbreak after crushing them with two buzzer-beater wins in the first-round series. Importantly, the 27-year-old can have a huge impact on the game, especially during the clutch.

While an MVP-cadre player and a clutch star have made it to the roster, the management just needs to find the supporting cast around them. However, the team seemed to have already found their perfect mix for the tournament. Some of the notable role-players include Kelly Olynyk, Dillon Brooks, Andrew Nembhard, Dwight Powell, RJ Barrett, Luguentz Dort, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Moreover, a few days ago, the management reshaped the roster by cutting down a few players. The team released Oshae Brissett, Kyle Alexander, and Leonard Miller, a week after Andrew Wiggins withdrew himself from the roster.

Team Canada’s 16-man roster for Paris Olympics

The team is currently practicing at the national camp before their travel to the Olympics. The NBA stars like Oshae Brissett and Andrew Wiggins were also part of the training camp until they were pulled out. Notably, Wiggins’ exit was a “mutual decision” as per Anthony Slater. The Warriors cited a late-season ankle injury and pulled him out of the tournament. A week later, Brissett, fresh from the Boston Celtics’ championship run, pulled out.

Moreover, the 2024 draft sensation, Zack Eddey, also pulled out of the tournament, focusing on his rookie season. While the roster looks star-studded, there seems to be a problem with the frontcourt. With Shai and Murray already taking over the backcourt, other undersized guards have to move up to take control of the frontcourt.

 Jordi Fernandez, the current head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, was announced as the team’s coach. He took the team to the Bronze medal in FIBA WC 2023 and looking at the roster, Jordi does have a chance at the Olympic gold.

Schedule: Countdown for the Paris Olympics begins

The team is less than a week away from concluding their training camp and taking a flight to Paris. However, before that, they have a small pit stop in Las Vegas. They will take on Team USA in an exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena on July 10th. While this match doesn’t have any effect on the Olympics, the US team still can take revenge for their FIBA WC upset and enter the tournament with more confidence.

Team Canada’s Olympic schedule

If the team manages to qualify for the knockout stages, the dates of the games are as follows.

Team Canada – Starting five and Depth Chart

It’s a no-brainer to stack the starting 5 with NBA stars. But, too many stars take up the guard role. Anyway, take a look at the possible starting five and the depth chart of the side.

There aren’t any second thoughts about the starting five, but the bench also has some promising talents. Notably, the TWolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has already grabbed everyone’s attention with his defense skills. Especially, the visuals of the star guarding Jamal Murray full-court during the 2024 Conference Semis made him expire the shot clock. And, with the available talent, the team can create magic in the city of love. Will Team Canada upset the over-powered Team USA? Let us know in the comments below.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.