Decision day: Four NBAers lead Canada
Canada is heading into its most important men’s basketball game since 2015 with a roster chock full of NBA experience.
Facing Brazil in Laval, Que., on Thursday night to open the second round of qualification for the 2019 World Cup, coach Roy Rana and his staff have settled on a team with four current NBAers — Indiana’s Cory Joseph, Miami’s Kelly Olynyk, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson and Khem Birch of the Orlando Magic — along with Magic rookie Justin Jackson on the 12-man team.
But, most important, the roster is rounded out with players who’ve had not only experience with Canada in FIBA qualifying but also with high-level teams in the EuroLeague and G League.
Kevin Pangos, who joined the team during training camp from his club team, Barcelona, keys a group of non-NBAers who will be counted on for major production in games Thursday in Quebec and Monday in Chile.
The only notable absence from the training camp group is Dillon Brooks, the wing ruled out for health reasons by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Canada and Brazil go into the game with identical 5-1 records after the first round of qualifying. But with three road games in South America facing Canada after Thursday, the need to win at home is significant.
Brazil has a veteran roster with a couple of familiar names: Leandro Barbosa, who spent parts of two seasons with the Raptors, and Anderson Varejao, the former Cleveland and Golden State big man.