The 2024 Paris Olympics are inching closer for Team Canada.
This is going to be an opportunity for Canada to make a statement to the rest of the world. When it comes to basketball, USA is regarded as the powerhouse.
However, Team Canada has assembled a solid roster headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray and two Toronto Raptors in RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk.
Canada was placed in Group A ahead of the Olympics, which is deemed the ‘Group of Death’:
Let us introduce you to GROUP A aka ‘Group of Death’ in the Paris Olympics 😱 #FIBAOQT
🇨🇦 CANADA
🇬🇷 GREECE
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA
🇪🇸 SPAIN pic.twitter.com/3OmJxBs128— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) July 7, 2024
Notably, Greece features Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who battled through the Olympic Qualifiers to get his country in. Also, Australia and Spain have been in the mix for several years now, so Canada will be tested.
Australia has NBA talent in Patty Mills, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Josh Green and Joe Ingles.
Meanwhile, Spain does not have much NBA-level talent, but this team has been together for several years. They are a pesky team that can compete with any country with plenty of players with international careers.
Nonetheless, this is a great opportunity for Canada to pick up some quality wins in their group. If they are able to survive and advance, they will have a good shot at a medal this summer.
Zach Edey pulls out of Canadian men’s basketball team
A massive blow for Team Canada heading into this summer was losing Zach Edey, who was selected 9th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Many expected Edey to suit up for Paris, but he ultimately decided to pull out to prepare for his rookie season with Memphis.
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