Team Information
Canada Men's National Basketball Team Bio
With the combination of skilled players, and coaches, Canada’s basketball international team is well known in the world of basketball. The basketball team in Canada is governed by the national governing body, Canada Basketball. Canada Basketball oversees the development and progress of the men's national team. The governing body provides all necessary resources for the players like grounds, training, and coaching staff.
Moreover, most of the team’s players playing in the NBA have benefited the country in their competitions. This partnership fosters talent, increases exposure, and builds robust development programs, laying a solid foundation for the national team.
History
Canada’s basketball team was first introduced in 1923. The team has always been a competitor on the global stage but is still in search of their first international championship. In the Berlin Olympics in 1936, the team won their first Silver medal, therefore after that, they finished fourth in 1976 and 1984.
Over the years, the team has seen highs and lows, continually evolving with the times. The team has won 2 silver and 4 bronze medals at the FIBA AmeriCup to date.
Canada got the talented Steve Nash to their team who helped the nation to put their place on the basketball map. Participation in FIBA tournaments and Olympic games has been crucial in the team's development.
Head Coach
As of July 2024, the head coach of the Canadian men's national basketball team is Jordi Fernandez. He was announced as the head coach on June 18th 2023. Before Jordi, Nick Nurse was the head coach of the team. Jordi Fernandez has experience in the NBA and the FIBA championship, so now with the young rosters in the team, he will guide the team to win a medal in the Summer Olympics. His expertise will be vital in steering Canada's national team to new heights.
Top Players
1. Steve Nash:
Steve Nash is a Canadian basketball legend and two-time NBA MVP. Known for his precise passing and strategic play. He was known to play at the point guard position. Thereafter his contribution did not stop as he started training the players as the coach of the team.
2. Rick Fox:
Rick Fox is also a former Canadian basketball player. Fox played twice for the international team in 1990 and 1994 at FIBA World Championships. Fox also played for Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers from 1991 - 2004 in the NBA.
3. Jamal Murray:
A rising star, Murray's explosive scoring ability has been a key asset for Canada in recent years. He has been a player for the Denver Nuggets since 2016. Murray is a rising star in the NBA and his experience will also help the national team through the Summer Olympics 2024. Murray has already won one NBA championship in 2023 with the Denver Nuggets, so his contribution to the national team will be helpful.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is another rising star who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. Alexander committed to play for the national team in 2022, and in the 2023 FIBA World Olympics Tournament, he was the central figure and led the team to a deep run in the tournament. He led his team to the NBA Playoffs after 2013. Along with Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is another player to watch in the Summer Olympics 2024.
5. Bill Wennington:
Bill Wennington was an exceptional player to watch in the 1990s who was a part of Canada’s national basketball team. Wennington represented Canada in the 1984 Olympics and also World University Games in 1983. The team also won the tournament.
Later in 1993, Bill Wennington was also a part of Canada's national team. The Canadian team narrowly failed to qualify for the tournament in the same Olympics.
Rosters (2024 Olympics)
Player | Team |
Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) |
RJ Barrett | Toronto Raptors |
Khem Birch | Bàsquet Girona (Spain/Liga) |
Dillon Brooks | Houston Rockets (NBA) |
Luguentz Dort | Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) |
Melvin Ejim | Unicaja (Spain/Liga) |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) |
Trey Lyles | Sacramento Kings (NBA) |
Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets (NBA) |
Andrew Nembhard | Indiana Pacers (NBA) |
Kelly Olynyk | Toronto Raptors (NBA) |
Dwight Powell | Dallas Mavericks (NBA) |
Record - Last 10 years
Summer Olympics
Year | Position |
2012 | Did not Qualify |
2016 | Did not Qualify |
2020 | Did not Qualify |
FIBA World Cup
Year | Position |
2014 | Did not Qualify |
2019 | 21 |
2023 | Bronze |
FIBA AmeriCup
Year | Position |
2013 | 6 |
2015 | 3 (Bronze) |
2017 | 8 |
2022 | 4 |
Commonwealth Games
2018: Silver
Championships
The Canadian men's basketball team has not won a significant global title since their silver medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Apart from this, the team has also won two silvers in FIBA AMeriCup (1980 and 1990). They have been a consistent presence in international competitions.
Canada's youth teams have also performed remarkably, winning gold at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2017. This success at the youth level underscores the country's investment in nurturing basketball talent.
FAQ's on Canada Basketball
Canada's basketball team has been represented by renowned players like Steve Nash, Rick Fox, Jamal Murray, Andrew Wiggins, and Bill Wennington.
A. Canada has won one silver in the Olympics and two silvers in the FIBA AmeriCup.
A. Canada Basketball is the national governing body for basketball in Canada.
A. There is only 1 NBA team in Canada (the Toronto Raptors).
A. With a strong influx of talent in recent years, the future of Canadian basketball looks promising. Success at the youth level, including gold at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2017, further showcases the country's commitment to nurturing basketball talent.