VICTORIA — Five NBA players highlight Canada's 12-man roster for the team's World Cup qualifying game Thursday night against Argentina.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Detroit Pistons Cory Joseph and Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell were among the dozen named following Canada's training camp in Victoria, B.C.
Gilgeous-Alexander made his first national team appearance in six years at the previous qualifying window in July. He had 32 points in a 95-75 win over the Dominican Republic in his hometown of Hamilton and 24 points in a 113-67 win over the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Canada was the only country in the Americas to go undefeated (6-0) in the first round of qualifiers. Argentina's record is 5-1.
Zach Edey, Melvin Ejim, Kevin Pangos, Kassius Robertson, Kalif Young and brothers Phil and Thomas Scrubb make up the remainder of Canada's roster.
Eighty countries are playing across six qualifying windows to secure their place among the 30 that will join host Japan and the Philippines in next summer's 32-team FIBA World Cup, which is a direct qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Canada plays again Monday in Panama.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2022.
The Canadian Press
