Barrett, Murray, Olynyk and Thompson headline Canada's preliminary squad for World Cup

TORONTO (Canada) - Once a top 10 program, Canada is looking to compete once again with the world's best and has the talent to do so. Canada Basketball announced on Tuesday 29 athletes that have been invited to attend the national team's training camp ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.

Of the invitees, 17 are on NBA rosters, nine play professionally overseas, two are still on American university teams, and one is with a G League team.

Along with NBA veterans such as Cory Joseph, Jamal Murray, Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, and Tristan Thompson, there are four first round NBA picks from this summer's draft. RJ Barrett was the highest, going at No. 3. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was chosen at  No. 17, Brandon Clarke at No. 21 and Mfiondu Kabengele at No. 27. Also invited was Marial Shayok, the No. 54 pick.

Canada's 29-player preliminary squad for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
Nickeil Alexander-Walker	R.J. Barrett	Aaron Best	Khem Birch
Chris Boucher	Oshae Brissett	Dillon Brooks	Brandon Clarke
Aaron Doornekamp	Luguentz Dort	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Melvin Ejim
Brady Heslip	Cory Joseph	Mfiondu Kabengele	Naz Mitrou-Long
Trey Lyles	Jamal Murray	Andrew Nembhard	Kelly Olynyk
Kevin Pangos	Dwight Powell	Phil Scrubb	Thomas Scrubb
Marial Shayok	Andy Rautins	Nik Stauskas	Tristan Thompson
Kyle Wiltjer

Joseph (San Antonio Spurs, 2014) and Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers, 2016) are joined by Chris Boucher (Toronto Raptors, 2019) as Canadians that have won an NBA title.

Raptors coach Nick Nurse was named head coach for Canada last month.

"Being asked to represent your country is a tremendous honor and we're excited about the group of athletes that we have invited to training camp next month in Toronto," said Rowan Barrett, Canada Basketball General Manager, Men's High Performance.  "These athletes demonstrate the depth of talent we now have in our country, as we prepare to meet the challenge of the FIBA Basketball World Cup."

RJ Barrett  played against the Virgin Islands in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers

After a run of nine straight appearances at FIBA Basketball World Cups from 1970 to 2002, Canada failed to make it 2006, returned in 2010 and finished 22nd, and missed again in 2014. They have yet to reach the podium with the highest placement 6th place finishes in 1978 and 1982.

Canada hasn't played at an Olympics since 2000 in Sydney. A strong performance in the FIBA World Cup is the biggest step towards reaching next year's tournament in Tokyo. A top-two finish among the FIBA Americas teams in China would clinch that.

It's going to be extremely difficult from the off for Canada as they will play in First Round Group H against Lithuania, who are No. 6 in the FIBA World Ranking Presented by Nike, as well as No. 11 Australia and No. 37 Senegal. Canada are No. 23.

A top two finish will be needed to advance to the Second Round, where Canada would play in Group L against the top two sides that come out of First Round Group G, which consists of France, Germany, Dominican Republic and Jordan. A top two finish in Group L would clinch for Canada a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

The men of the Maple Leaf finished the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers with a 10-2 record to top their group.  

A finalized list of the training camp attendees will be announced prior to the start of camp.

For his part, Nurse has an open mind ahead of the training camp.

"It’s a blank slate,” the coach said. “I want our team to have a clean slate and become as good as we can."

Canada will open exhibition play with a two-game series against Nigeria in Toronto and Winnipeg, then travel to Australia for a five-game exhibition series against Australia (August 16-17), New Zealand (August 20-21) and the United States of America (August 26).  

FIBA