Jamal Murray has confirmed his previous commitment to the Canadian team, league sources say The Athleticand headliners for a strong 18-man unit that the Canadians have listed for this summer’s FIBA World Cup.
Only 12 players are allowed for a team to finally participate in the World Cup.
A lengthy playoff run with the reigning world champions Denver Nuggets and injury history left some doubt about Murray’s World Cup availability, but Murray still opted for Canada making an additional roster. There is still room for outs, league officials said. expressed excitement for the Canadian team at the opportunity for a deep run at the World Cup.
Canada’s additional list includes Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, RJ Barrett, Rugenz Dort, Nickel Alexander-Walker, Kelly Olynyk, O’Shea Brissett, Cory Joseph, and Dwight Walsh from the NBA. Powell and Zach Eady from Major College Basketball.
Notable NBA players not on Team Canada’s roster are Andrew Wiggins, Benedict Maturin, Shadon Sharp and Andrew Nemhard.
The 26-year-old Murray, who was born in Kitchener, Ontario, averaged 26.1 points and 7.1 assists in the Nuggets playoffs alongside Nikola Jokic and ended up with more one-pointers than the rest of the NBA could handle. Formed a two punch. After missing a year and a half with a torn knee ligament in the spring of 2021, he averaged 20.0 points in 65 regular-season games.
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Team Canada is in the midst of a cycle requiring players to make three-year commitments to build continuity and ensure that as many NBA players as possible represent the country.
It was part of a strategy book used by former Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo for many years, and which the American team has since shunned, Canadian general manager Rowan Barrett and then-coach Nick Nurse. This is the plan put together by After being fired from the Toronto Raptors, he parted ways with Team Canada.
Murray didn’t play last season, but made up his mind last summer and attended the Canadians’ training camp.
Murray also has a close relationship with Canada’s new coach Jordi Fernandez, who has worked with Murray for many years as an assistant under Michael Malone in Denver.
The easiest way to qualify is to do well at the World Cup. Canada’s first match will be against world power France on August 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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(Photo: Rich Story/USA Today)
