Scrubb, Ejim, Chery push paces as Canada clinch spot in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

EDMONTON (Canada) – Thomas Scrubb, Melvin Ejim and Kenny Chery were just a sample of the powerhouses that Canada put on the court as they dominated Venezuela 94-56 in front of a home crowd at the Edmonton EXPO Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Canada moved to a perfect 9-0 record after leading for the entire game and clinched their spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with the win.

 

Melvin Ejim got the scoring started for Canada a minute and a half into the game after both teams struggled to find their offensive cohesion. As brothers Phil and Thomas Scrubb also pushed Canada’s offense to score, Canada got off to a 7-0 run early.

Jhornan Zamora, who has played every game for Venezuela during these qualifiers averaging 12.3 points per game, broke their scoring drought with a three pointer after three and a half minutes.

While Canada’s starters already created the gap by shooting efficiently, Aaron Best made an impact immediately hitting a three-pointer after subbing in as Canada’s ball rotation helped them creep away from Venezuela.

David Cubillan helped keep Venezuela in the game with five points, capitalizing on Canada leaving him wide open, while Nestor Colmenares was heavily on the boards early grabbing five off the glass.

With Venezuela getting frustrated early, Canada was getting free buckets at the net, and continued to pass around the scoring responsibilities as Trae Bell-Haynes and Owen Klassen were effective on both sides of the ball.

Kassius Robertson also got hot on impact, grabbing a steal and scoring five points while eight different players scored a basket as Canada took a 15-point lead to end the first quarter 25-10.

Colmenares kicked off the second quarter with back-to-back baskets, and as Zamora hit a three Venezuela was now within eight points on a 9-2 run, with Gregory Vargas pushing the tempo of the game.

Ejim continued to show a midrange masterclass while Thomas Scrubb hit a second three-pointer to keep Canada ahead by double digits, but Zamora hit his third three-pointer to hit 11 points on the game and keep Venezuela close.

Chery dishing out six assists in the half was vital in finding Canada’s big men around the rim as Thomas Scrubb was up to 10 points at the half as Canada led 46-31.

In the third quarter Canada continued their run as a Chery three-pointer put him up to 9 points on the game and gave Canada a 21-point lead, one they continued to build on through the quarter.

 

Five Canadian players ended the quarter with eight or more points as Canada took a 28-point lead, while Venezuela continued to get shots blocked by Canada scoring just 11 points in the third quarter. Getting up to a lead as big as 40, Canada slowed down their pace on offense and introduced new faces to the floor like Jean-Victor Mukama and Thomas Kennedy.

Robertson finished the game with 16 points shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor while Owen Klassen finished the game with a double-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.

Chery finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Canada while Conor Morgan’s highlight reel jams were part of his 12 points and 4 rebounds recorded in the game.

 

FIBA