The 2023 FIBA Men's World Cup is just around the corner, and basketball fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating the competition that will showcase the finest talents from various nations. One team that holds immense significance in this tournament is Team Canada, as they aim to make their mark on the international stage and solidify their position as a formidable force in global basketball.
About Canadian National Basketball Team
Canada has been competing at the world cup stage since the inaugural edition back in 1950 and has had its fair share of ups, downs, and inconsistencies. The team’s overall history at the World Cup is fairly decent, but its last four outings have been a letdown including the 2019 World Cup where they finished 21st.
Having taken necessary measures, team Canada Squad for the 2023 world cup has a lot of talented young and experienced stars who are committed to improving Canada’s chances at winning the trophy and bolstering the nation’s Basketball potential.
Led by their head coach Jordi Fernandez, the young and improved roster consists of both veterans and emerging young talents.
Team Canada Squad for the World Cup
| Player Name | Position | Age |
| Kyle Alexander | Power forward | 26 years |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Shooting guard | 24 years |
| RJ Barrett | Shooting guard | 23 years |
| Trae Bell-Haynes | Point guard | 27 years |
| Oshae Brissett | Small forward | 25 years |
| Dillon Brooks | Small forward | 27 years |
| Luguentz Dort | Swingman (guard/forward) | 24 years |
| Zach Edey | Center | 21 years |
| Melvin Ejim | Small forward | 32 years |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Shooting guard | 25 years |
| Cory Joseph | Point guard | 31 years |
| Jamal Murray | Point guard | 26 years |
| Kelly Olynyk | Power forward | 32 years |
| Kevin Pangos | Point guard | 30 years |
| Dwight Powell | Center | 32 years |
| Kassius Robertson | Shooting guard | 29 years |
| Philip Scrubb | Swingman (guard/forward) | 30 years |
| Thomas Scrubb | Small forward | 31 years |
Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the best forwards for Canada and have consistently proven their ability to impact games with their scoring, shooting, and steal accuracy. Coming off a much-deserved championship victory with the Denver Nuggets, Murray will be highly motivated to bring the Naismith trophy along with his teammates to Canada.
With the team’s offense in stable hands, the 7-foot-3 center Zach Edey will be one of the crucial pieces to complement the team’s overall defensive gameplay. Zach averaged 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in his junior year of College Basketball at Purdue University. These stats indicate Zach’s love for defense and the potential he can live up to.
Veterans Dillon Brooks, Kelly Olynyk, and Dwight Powell have proven to be capable scorers and perimeter defenders with the ability to secure consistent steals, rebounds, and create turnovers for scoring opportunities. Their presence on-court will be crucial for Team Canada.
Key Matchups for Canada
Team Canada is part of the competitive group H, joining the likes of Latvia, Lebanon, and France.
Lebanon will be a fairly competitive side but chances are Canada’s defense will be able to keep the Lebanese offense in check and secure the victory. With Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgious-Alexander, and RJ Barrett heading the offense, Canada can come out on top in this encounter.
Latvia will be another tough competitor in Group H. With NBA veterans Kristaps Porziņģis and Dāvis Bertāns as part of the roster, Canada will have to play competitive basketball to prevail over Latvian defense. A win over Latvia will mean Canada’s qualification for the 2nd round of the tournament.
France will be the toughest battle for Canada at the league stage. With Rudy Gobert and Nicolas Batum heading the defense, the matchup will be Canada’s litmus test. Canada will have to rely on its resilience and competitive potential throughout the game to get the win over France.
The 2023 FIBA world cup presents a significant opportunity for Team Canada to make its mark on the global basketball landscape. With a talented roster led by seasoned veterans and emerging stars, they are poised to compete fiercely against some of the world's best teams. As they continue preparing for the tournament, Canadian fans will back their country as they strive to achieve greatness and establish themselves among international basketball elites.
FAQs
A. Canada is ranked 15th in the world per FIBA world rankings.
A. Since Canada is part of group H, they will play their games at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia.
A. Zach Edey. Zach stands approximately 7 feet 3 and a half inches tall.
A. Canada finished fourth after losing against the USA for the third position.
