My last post about USA Basketball and their future heading into next summers World Cup got me thinking about their biggest threat to their continued dominance. Argentina and Spain have been considered Americas biggest challenges in the past but in the near future we might see the rise of a new power. Canada! Yes I’m talking bout the country to the north of us and no I’m not talking bout hockey. I’m talking about a Canadian program that is currently ranked 26th in the FIBA world rankings. The same program that has failed to qualify for the last three Olympics. So, how could they possibly be considered to challenge USA in International play? Well thank the Toronto Raptors who gave the kids of Canada something to look towards. In 1995 the NBA decide to expand north of the border and gave Toronto and also Vancouver the opportunity to support teams. The kids now could go downtown and watch a real NBA game. There was also the camps held locally and ran by NBA players. Eighteen years later we have a generation of young Canadian ballers ready to challenge the world for international supremacy.
Right now the USA is the only country to have a roster made up of all NBA players but I predict that by the 2020 Olympics Canada will be the second team. Canada basketball is currently ran by the greatest Canadian to play basketball, Steve Nash. In Phoenix Nash played under current USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo and he has borrowed some of his ideas on how to build and strong international program. Just like Colangelo Nash has a pretty deep talent pool that will start their quest at basketball equality with the US in this summers FIBA Americas Championship. By placing in the top four Canada can qualify for next summers World Cup of Basketball. Even though they won’t be at full strength this summer they should be strong enough to qualify where they could be ready to possible medal next summer with an almost full roster. This summers roster is not selected yet but here’s a few players that will be considered and should play.
Cory Joseph-Leading the team this summer will be San Antonio Spurs back up point guard Cory Joseph. Joseph has improved a lot in his two season in the league and Nash is looking for Joseph to lead his program for the next 10 years.
Tristan Thompson– When drafted 4th two years ago Thompson was the highest drafted Canadian at the time. The former All America out of Texas has gotten better every year in the league and will a center piece of the Canadian basketball team’s growth.
Kelly Olynyk– Olynyk is an extremely versatile big who should be perfect for international play . This summer in the Summer League he shocked a lot of people and was probably the best player in Orlando. He looks to carry that over the his national team
Andrew Nicholson– A second year forward in Orlando looks to continue to improve in the league and going forward with the National team.
Anthony Bennett– This years number one pick in the draft will miss this summers tournament to rehab an injury but should be a force going forward as a versatile big man who plays inside and out.
Andrew Wiggins– Wiggins will miss this summers games to focus on his freshman season with Kansas but he will very be in the mix next summer in the World Cup. He should be coming off a number one selection in the draft giving Canada back to back number one selections. Most people say Wiggins is the best young prospect since Lebron and he’s proud to represent his country.
Trey Lyles– Lyles is the 5th rated player on ESPN top 100 seniors. He’s a 6’9″ power forward who will be one of Canada’s many big men of the future.
Other notable players: Khem Birch, Junior Cadougan, Tyler Ennis, Brady Heslip, Kris Joseph, Myck Kabongo, Kyle Wiltjer, Nick Stauskas, Kevin Pangos, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Robert Scare.
