As his nation’s finest, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got full confidence in the chances of his Canada Basketball Senior Men’s Team to compete in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Following his visit to his hometown Toronto wherein the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to a 128-111 losing effort against the Raptors, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered his utmost belief that Canada is in a great spot to conquer and grasp the coveted Naismith trophy of this year’s FIBA Championships.
“I think we’re really in a good position,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in his postgame presser. “I think we’re really talented. I think we’ll mesh together really good. As long as we’re all focused on winning, and doing whatever it takes, we’ll be fine.”
Canada, currently ranked-15th on the FIBA World Rankings, already secured its ticket to the World Cup after dominating the Americas Qualifier – winning 11 out of its 12 games played.
Behind the tactics of head coach Nick Nurse, the basketball club features a plethora of talented NBA players that includes Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins, Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks, Trey Lyles, and Dwight Powell.
As such, it is yet to be seen who will make it to the cut to fill the nation’s 12-man roster that will be sent to Jakarta, Indonesia.
The upcoming World Cup will also be highly significant for the Canadians to fulfill their ambition to be in the 2024 Olympics, as the two best-finishing teams from the Americas will automatically lock their seats to head to Paris.
For now, Gilgeous-Alexander and his Canadian team have to keep their wait and preparation for their tournament group as the World Cup Draw will take place on Apr. 23 in Manila.
