Canada Basketball releases updated training camp roster with several omissions
Canada Basketball continues to update its roster ahead of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The new list sees several notable changes from the initial 21-man roster released last month. Some absences include Dillon Brooks, Kelly Olynyk, Khem Birch, Oshae Brissett, and Tristan Thompson not being involved with the program for this year as the Canadian men's team looks to qualify for their first Olympics since Sydney 2000. The new list is below:
Aaron Doornekamp | Forward | 6’7” | Napanee, ON | Tenerife (Spain) |
Andrew Nembhard | Guard | 6’5” | Aurora, ON | Gonzaga Bulldogs (NCAA) |
Andrew Nicholson | Forward | 6’9” | Mississauga, ON | Fujian Sturgeons (China) |
Forward | 6’7” | Vaughan, ON | ||
Anthony Bennett | Forward | 6’8” | Toronto, ON | Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico) |
Bennedict Mathurin | Guard | 6’7” | Montreal, QC | Arizona Wildcats (NCAA) |
Charles Bediako | Centre | 6’10” | Brampton, ON | Alabama Crimson Tide (NCAA) |
Guard | 6'3" | Toronto, ON | ||
Forward | 6'11" | Toronto, ON | ||
Isiaha Mike | Guard | 6’8” | Toronto, ON | Niners Chemnitz (Germany) |
Guard | 6’4” | Montreal, QC | ||
Melvin Ejim | Forward | 6'6" | Toronto, ON | Buducnost VOLI (Montenegro) |
Guard | 6’3” | Windsor, ON | Golden State Warriors | |
Guard | 6’6” | Toronto, ON | ||
Owen Klassen | Centre | 6'10" | Kingston, ON | Boulazac Basket Dordogne (France) |
R.J. Barrett | Guard | 6'6” | Mississauga, ON | |
Trae Bell-Haynes | Guard | 6'2” | Toronto, ON | Crailsheim Merlins (Germany) |
Forward | 6’10” | Saskatoon, SK | ||
Zach Edey | Centre | 7’4” | Toronto, ON | Purdue Boilermakers (NCAA) |
Although those absences are significant, this is still shaping up to be the most talented roster that Canada has put together in quite some time. The remaining group will still be headlined by Andrew Wiggins, Dwight Powell, Cory Joseph, Lu Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Mychal Mulder, and R.J. Barrett in addition to a number of experienced players from acclaimed leagues outside of the NBA.
However, it would appear that Canada won't have the depth of experience in the frontcourt as initially expected. Powell is the most likely to start, although he is undersized as a center, while Trey Lyles is a versatile player who can fill in at center or at power forward, but the depth behind them is relatively thin. The roster was supplemented with two teenagers in camp between 6-foot-11 center Charles Bediako and 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey.
Canada Basketball is hosting training camp in Tampa at the Toronto Raptors' temporary facilities from June 16 to 24 before travelling to Victoria, B.C. for the qualifying tournament. Canada needs to win both the semifinals and the finals in one-game playoffs among a six-team pool to secure an Olympic berth for Tokyo 2020.
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