Canada has produced some of the NBA’s best international talent, along with countries in Europe as well as Australia.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best Canadian-born players in the NBA. With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics a year away, Gilgeous-Alexander announced Tuesday on Twitter his commitment to Canada.
Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray also said Tuesday on Twitter he was committed to playing for Canada.
Per Josh Lewenberg of The Sports Network, New York Knicks rookie R.J. Barrett announced his commitment Wednesday.
A second-year player out of Kentucky, Gilgeous-Alexander would bring quality guard play to Canada. With himself, Murray and Barrett, Canada would boast some of the best guard depth in the Olympics. New Orleans Pelicans rookie guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker also announced his commitment Tuesday.
I've known and made a promise to myself that representing my country is something I will continue to do and as my bro @BeMore27 publicly announced his commitment, I too will be there to do my best to help @CanBball get to Tokyo!
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (@shaiglalex) November 27, 2019
Canada, along with countries such as Australia and Serbia, has the potential to present Team USA with some problems. The world is filled with great basketball players, and the talent pool for next year’s Olympics will perhaps be the deepest and best it has ever been.
Playing for my country is always an honour and I want to take the step and leadership role to commit to @canadabasketball this summer. I want to play my part to help push our team into the Olympics and compete at the highest world stage. Let’s go Canada🇨🇦🇨🇦
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) November 26, 2019
Gilgeous-Alexander is having a good start to his sophomore season. He leads the Thunder in scoring, and he’s averaging career-highs in points (19.3), rebounds (5.3) and 3-point percentage (40.3%).
RJ Barrett says he'll join Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the others to recently commit in playing for Canada this coming summer. "100%. I definitely plan playing. I'm very proud to say that."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 27, 2019
[lawrence-related id=427479,427420,427380,427172]