TORONTO — Roy Rana selected a team of players from all over the world to tip off Canada's quest for a FIBA World Cup berth.
Canada's men's basketball roster, announced Friday morning, includes NBA free agent Joel Anthony, Former NBA No. 1 draft pick Anthony Bennett, former Carleton standouts Phil and Thomas Scrubb, and Marc Trasolini, who plays professionally in Japan.
"Having the opportunity to represent your country is something most players only dream of. But to have the chance to do it at home, in front of friends, family and fellow Canadians is an honour we treasure," said Rana, whose team will open training camp Monday in Halifax. "All the athletes in our pool have and are continuing to make a tremendous effort to be part of this journey."
Canada will open World Cup qualifying versus the Bahamas on Nov. 24 in Halifax. They'll then travel to face the Dominican Republic on Nov. 27 in Santiago de los Caballeros.
The depth of Canada's program will be tested because of the unique challenge FIBA's new qualifying format poses. With the lack of player availability at this time of the year, countries hardest hit are ones whose stars are tied up with NBA and NCAA duty. Canada has 11 players in the NBA.
Americas qualifying features 16 teams competing for seven World Cup spots, in a home and away format.
Canada's games will be streamed live on DAZN, who announced a five-year partnership they announced Friday.
The deal will see DAZN broadcast every Canadian team at FIBA men's and women's tournaments, as well as FIBA's showcase events, next year's Women's FIBA World Cup in 2018, and the Men's FIBA World Cup.
Canada's second series of games are Feb. 22 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Feb. 25 in the Bahamas. Canada will host the third series of games, June 29 against the Dominican Republic, and July 2 vs. the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FIBA's new qualifying format sees 80 countries battle over a two-year period for the World Cup, Aug. 31-Sept. 15, 2019 in China.
Canada's men's team is currently ranked eighth in the Americas and 25th globally.
Roster:
Joel Anthony, Montreal, free agent; Anthony Bennett, Toronto, Northern Arizona Suns (G-League); Grandy Glaze, Toronto, St. John's Edge (NBL of Canada); Olivier Hanlan, Aylmer, Que., Austin Spurs (G-League); Brady Heslip, Burlington, Ont., Trabzonspor (Turkey); Kaza Kajami-Keane, Ajax, Ont., Raptors 905 (G-League); Owen Klassen, Kingston, Ont., PAOK (Greece); Dyshawn Pierre, Whitby, Ont., Banco di Srd (Italy); Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Toronto, Westchester Knicks (G-League); Phil Scrubb, Richmond, B.C., Fraport SKY (Germany); Thomas Scrubb, Richmond, B.C., Scandone AV (Italy); Marc Trasolini, Vancouver, Hokkaido L. (Japan).
The Canadian Press
