Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Canada: Looking for redemption at the 2023 FIBA World Cup
Despite having produced exceptional NBA talent for decades, Canada are yet to have generated any sustained success on the international stage. But the roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is ready to change that narrative.
Basketball
Canada is home to some of the biggest names in men's basketball — both past and present.
Bill Wennington clinched three championships alongside Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls in the late 90's, Steve Nash won two Most Valuable Player awards during a 18-year career in the NBA, and Rick Fox was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers' team that reeled off three straight titles from 2000 to 2002. Even the inventor of the game - James Naismith - was born in Ontario, Canada.
And yet, despite this pool of great talent, Canada has failed to make any real noise at the two biggest international basketball competitions - the FIBA World Cup and Olympic tournament - for decades.
However, there's no question that the current team competing in the 2023 World Cup is the strongest ever assembled in Canada's history. With NBA All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, the Road Warriors are primed to open a new chapter in Canada's basketball history, with a chance at a podium finish - and a coveted quota spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - a very real possibility.
Canada's tough history at the World Cup and Olympic Games
The medal statistics for Canada's performance at the Olympics and World Cups makes for bleak reading: one silver medal, won at the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games when basketball made its debut as a medal event. Canada earned the silver medal after losing to the USA 19-8 in the final.
In the 87 years that have followed, Canada qualified for nine Olympic tournaments, finishing fourth on two occassions (1976 and 1984). But Canada have failed to qualifiy for the last five Olympic tournaments, with their last appearance coming at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, where they came in 7th.
Canada's history at the World Cup isn't any better: having competed at 14 tournaments, Canada has never placed higher than 6th, and their most recent outing at the 2019 competition saw them finish in 21st place overall with just two wins and three losses.
But as the saying goes, that's water under the bridge. The team that competed in the People's Republic of China four years ago is completely different to the one travelling to Indonesia, as evidenced by their current world ranking of 15. This is arguably as a result of the 'Summer Core' concept introduced by Canada Basketball, which centers on finding 14 players who are willing to commit to represent Canada for three consecutive summers. This includes the 2023 FIBA World Cup and, crucially, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
So, why is there so much hype around Canada's current squad?
#6 Cory Joseph of Canada drives the ball during the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines a star-studded roster for the World Cup
Canada's roster, on paper, is one of the deepest that will compete at the World Cup this summer. In addition to 2023 collegiate National Player of the Year Zach Edey, Canada can rely on the veteran NBA experience of RJ Barrett (New York Knicks); Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves); Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets), who was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023; Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder); Kelly Olynk (Utah Jazz); Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks); and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder).
While any player who makes an NBA roster is worthy of mention, Gilgeous-Alexander's name stands out as the leader of this team.
At 25, the 1.98m (6 ft 6) guard has established himself as one of the premiere talents in the NBA, and is coming into the World Cup off the back of the best season of his career.
The Thunder guard finished fourth in the NBA in scoring with 31.4 points per game and was named to his first NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA First Team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 competes at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
Gilgeous-Alexander's silky ball-handling skills, smooth jump shot and defensive talent have been on display for Canada during their warm-up games for the World Cup, which have included impressive wins over world No.11 Germany and defending world champions and world No.1 Spain. In the latter, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists.
The question will now become: can Gilgeous-Alexander and Canada carry the impressive performances from their exhibition games over to the World Cup? It goes without saying that these warm-up games, while important, pale in comparison to what the games at the World Cup will look like. After all, Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates have the opportunity to not only earn Canada its best-ever finish at the tournament, but also the chance to secure a quota spot for Paris 2024 — if they finish in the top-two amongst teams from the Americas. As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
So, just the small matter of winning a first World Cup medal and earning Canada qualification to the Olympic Games for the first time in 24 years.
No pressure, right?
Key information for Canada at the 2023 World Cup
Canada have been drawn in Group H, where their toughest opponents will likely be Tokyo 2020 silver medallists France. Canada will also face Lebanon (43) and Latvia (29) in addition to Les Bleus (5).
Canada's schedule is as follows:
Friday, 25 August
- Canada vs France | 20:30 local time | Jakarta (INA), Indonesia Arena
Sunday, 27 August
- Lebanon vs Canada | 16:45 local time | Jakarta (INA), Indonesia Arena
Tuesday, 29 August
- Canada vs Latvia | 20:30 local time | Jakarta (INA), Indonesia Arena