Canadians respond to call in men’s basketball qualification for the World Cup

Canada swept the Bahamas through qualification for the FIBA ​​Men’s World Cup on Monday afternoon, which is not a surprise and not the most significant achievement.

But what the 113-77 victory in the Dominican Republic did was once again emphasize not only the depth of talent that Canada Basketball can muster, but the willingness of players around the world to answer their country’s call.

And whatever happens at the 2023 World Cup or, if things go alarmingly well, the 2024 Paris Olympics, the men who stopped their careers and seasons to play for Canada should not be forgotten.

Kyle Wiltjer had 25 points and Kassius Robertson 15 for Canada, who defeated the Bahamas for the second day in a row in the FIBA ​​Americas bubble in Santo Domingo.

For Canadians, it was a typical trip: a group of familiar players, who get together every now and then, get together for a week and quickly figure things out.

The roster was created from European professionals who were able to get releases from their teams to take a week off, North American players who have been an integral part of the program for years, and players like Kyle Alexander who debuted on the senior team. .

It’s what Canadian players do.

Raptors assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren was Canada’s head coach, handling responsibilities on an interim basis for Nick Nurse. He had about three full practices with the team in Houston before a pair in Santo Domingo before games.

“In the week we spent together we were very focused,” he said. “The overall approach of our team was very, very elitist every day.”

Canada is now 2-0 in the first round of the long qualifying process for the 2023 World Cup in Asia. They have two game windows left at this stage – in February and July against the Dominican Republic and the US Virgin Islands – and three of the four teams advance to a second group stage that begins in late 2022.

Ultimately, seven FIBA ​​Americas teams will qualify for the World Cup, which is the most direct path to landing a spot in the Olympics, something Canada has eluded since Sydney 2000.