Where is Andrew Wiggins? Why Warriors forward isn’t on Canada Olympics basketball roster for 2024 Paris Games | Sporting News Canada

Fresh off of a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the Canadian Men’s National Basketball Team is back at the Olympics for the first time since 2000. And while this is Canada’s most talented roster to date, one notable player will be absent.

Former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins — one of just four Canadians in NBA history to earn an All-Star selection — will not be present when action gets underway in Paris. Wiggins, 29, last suited up for Team Canada when it attempted to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Ahead of this year’s games, Wiggins expressed interest in rejoining the national team but ultimately could not. Where is Wiggins? Here’s why Golden State’s forward will not be on Canada’s Olympic basketball roster.

MORE: Canada draws ‘Group of Death’ for Paris Olympics

Why Andrew Wiggins isn’t on Canada Olympics basketball roster

Wiggins is not on Canada’s roster for the 2024 Olympics because the Warriors prevented him from participating, per reports from Doug Smith of the Toronto Star and Sportsnet’s Michael Grange in late June.

At the time, the Warriors were entering the free agency period and Wiggins was a potential trade chip that could be used to acquire a player with a large salary. Wiggins would become more susceptible to injury by participating in an international competition, thus threatening potential deals.

“Told this was 11th-hour thing,” Grange said. “Wiggins was insured and cleared medically by [Canada Basketball] but now very much on trade block & Dubs not having it.”

Grange added that Wiggins was not happy with the decision, further suggesting that it was the Warriors’ choice to hold him out and that there may have been pushback from Wiggins and his camp.

Wiggins appeared in 71 of 82 games during the 2023-24 season but played through an ankle injury, which would be enough for a Golden State team doctor to flag his potential participation.

A month after initial reporting, Wiggins is still a member of the Warriors roster, though the franchise reportedly remains active on the trade market. Whether Wiggins will be on Golden State’s roster for opening day of the 2024-25 season remains to be seen but he will not be with Canada when the 2024 Olympics begin.

MORE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray headline Canada’s Olympic roster

Canada Olympics men’s basketball roster

Here is the complete 12-man roster for Canada at the 2024 Olympics in Paris:

Canada Basketball 2024 Olympics schedule

Canada opens its Olympic journey against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Greek National Team. They then take on Australia before closing group play against Spain.