Team Canada achieved a historic milestone by winning their first bronze medal at a men’s basketball World Cup, defeating the United States 127-118 in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Eight players from this bronze medal-winning team will represent Canada this summer in Paris.
The Summer Olympics will also mark the debuts of Andrew Nembhard, Trey Lyles, Khem Birch, and Jamal Murray for Team Canada.
Andrew Nembhard
Andrew Nembhard was selected with the 31st overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2022 NBA Draft. Over his two seasons with the Pacers, he has averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 143 regular-season games.
Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray has established himself as one of the top guards in the league, playing with the Denver Nuggets. He finished the last season averaging 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
Trey Lyles
Trey Lyles currently plays for the Sacramento Kings. Drafted by the Utah Jazz in the 2015 NBA Draft, he has played nine seasons for five teams, averaging 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 581 regular-season games.
Khem Birch
Khem Birch currently plays in the Canadian League with Basquet Girona. He is the only non-NBA player among the Canadian debutants.
He went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft and joined the Washington Wizards for the Summer League, later signing with the Miami Heat. However, he did not start a single game in the NBA as the Heat waived him.
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Kelly Olynyk Reflects on Leading Team Canada in the Olympics
Team Canada will compete in Group A at the Paris Olympics, facing Australia, Greece, and Spain. Kelly Olynyk is declared the captain of Team Canada, leading a roster that features 11 players with NBA experience.
It is a great honor for Olynyk to represent his country on the international stage, and he shared his feelings in a recent interview.
“Leading our senior men’s national team into the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is an incredible honor. Since I began playing basketball, my dream has always been to represent Canada at the Olympics,” Olynyk said.
“Last year’s third-place finish at the FIBA World Cup was an important step, proving that we belong among the world’s best teams. However, it also showed us that we still have work to do as we pursue our ultimate goal of winning gold in Paris,” he added.
The men’s Olympic basketball tournament will kick off on July 27. Stay tuned to get the latest update.
