Murray, Gilgeous-Alexander, Alexander-Walker commit to Canada's Olympic quest
DENVER (USA) - Canada received a boost in their fight for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil Alexander-Walker all committed to play at the 2020 Victoria OQT.
DENVER (USA) - Canada received a major boost in their fight for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as NBA stars Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all committed to play at the FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Victoria next summer.
"Playing for my country is always an honour and I want to take the step and leadership role to commit to @canadabasketball this summer. I want to play my part to help push our team into the Olympics and compete at the highest world stage. Let's go Canada," tweeted Denver Nuggets guard Murray, who has not played for Canada since the 2015 Pan-American Games in Canada.
Playing for my country is always an honour and I want to take the step and leadership role to commit to @canadabasketball this summer. I want to play my part to help push our team into the Olympics and compete at the highest world stage. Let’s go Canada🇨🇦🇨🇦
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) November 26, 2019
The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Gilgeous-Alexander responded to the tweet of his compatriot Murray by posting on Twitter: "I've known and made a promise to myself that representing my country is something I will continue to do and as my bro @BeMore27 (Murray) publicly announced his commitment, I too will be there to do my best to help @CanBball get to Tokyo!"
I've known and made a promise to myself that representing my country is something I will continue to do and as my bro @BeMore27 publicly announced his commitment, I too will be there to do my best to help @CanBball get to Tokyo!
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (@shaiglalex) November 27, 2019
Murray was unable to play for Canada this past summer at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 as he was dealing with an injury.
Shortly after Gilgeous-Alexander's tweet, his cousin Alexander-Walker, who plays for New Orleans Hornets, gave Canada fans even more reason to believe in getting back to the Olympics for the first time since 2000 as he also committed to play in Victoria.
"Excited to announce that I'll be playing for @CanBball this summer blessed to be able to represent my country and compete against the best in the world. It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid growing up in Toronto. #WeAreTeamCanada," tweeted Alexander-Walker, who like Gilgeous-Alexander only played for Canada at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2016.
Excited to announce that I’ll be playing for @CanBball 🇨🇦 this summer. Blessed to be able to represent my country and compete against the best in the world. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid growing up in Toronto. #WeAreTeamCanada
— Nickeil Alexander (@TheReal_NAW1) November 27, 2019
Victoria, located in western Canada, will host one of the four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments from June 23-28, 2020 along with Split, Croatia; Kaunas, Lithuania; and Belgrade, Serbia.
As per the results of Wednesday's draw, Canada will have to battle the likes of China, Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey and Uruguay for the one available ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament.
The three other FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments will also qualify one team each.
FIBA