NBA Champion Jamal Murray Tops Canada's Expanded Team for Upcoming FIBA World Cup

Paris 2024

The Denver Nuggets' point guard takes the spotlight in Canada's unveiled roster, which was announced on Thursday. Find out who are the other NBA players who complete the lineup.

2 minBy Olympics.com
Jamal Murray at 2016 NBA Draft

(Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

After playing a pivotal role in the Denver Nuggets' NBA championship last season, point guard Jamal Murray stands as the star of Canada's extended senior men's basketball team roster, which was revealed on Thursday (14 July)

The roster announcement from Canada Basketball sets the stage for the upcoming FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup, and Rowan Barrett, the general manager of Canada's senior men's program, expressed his excitement by stating, "Tonight we announce the training camp roster for the imminent FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup. This team brings together dedicated players from our summer and winter cores within the current Olympic squad."

Barrett also emphasized the significance of "familiarity, continuity, and consistency" that this group offers in their pursuit of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Joining Murray in the backcourt is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder, swingmen Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves and RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks, who have also been added to the roster. The team is rounded off by Kyle Alexander, Trae Bell-Haynes, Oshae Brissett, Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort, Zach Edey, Melvin Ejim, Cory Joseph, Kelly Olynyk, Kevin Pangos, Dwight Powell, Kassius Robertson, as well as Phil and Thomas Scrubb.

Scheduled to run from 25 August to 10 September, the 2023 Men's Basketball World Cup will will feature 32 teams. The group stage will be held across the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, with the final stage set to take place in Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Canada, assigned to Group H, will face off against France, Lebanon, and Latvia during the group phase in Jakarta, Indonesia. A top-two finish among teams from the Americas at the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2023 could secure a direct ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for the Canadian men's team. Currently, Canada is ranked 15th in the FIBA World Rankings.

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