Canada Basketball has invited 15 players to a training camp ahead of the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 qualifying games later this month.
Canada will face Bahamas in two games in a bubble in the Dominican Republic on Nov. 28 and 29. Both games will be broadcast on Sportsnet at 4 p.m. ET as part of a new agreement that will see all FIBA events broadcast on Sportsnet through the Fall of 2025. The players will participate in a camp from Nov. 22-25 at the University of Houston.
"We’re looking forward to getting our players and coaches back together in Houston next week for camp," said Nate Bjorkgren, associate head coach of the senior men’s national team, in a statement. “Our group is focused on preparing for our doubleheader against Bahamas in Dominican Republic at the end of the month.”
There are 80 national teams playing games across six qualifying windows with 30 spots in the 32 team World Cup up for grabs. Hosts Japan and the Philippines have already secured places in the 2023 event.
Canada's camp roster includes players from a broader Senior Men's National Team player pool that has committed to competing for Canada over the next several years in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will take place from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 with the group phase being hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia and the final phase being played in Manila.
Below are the 15 players who are attending camp for Canada later this month:
Players
Kyle Alexander, F, Milton, Ont.
Anthony Bennett, F, Toronto
Aaron Best, G, Scarborough, Ont.
Junior Cadougan, G, Toronto
Kenny Chery, PG, Montreal
Kadre Gray, G, Toronto
Jermaine Haley, G, Vancouver
Owen Klassen, C, Kingston, Ont.
AJ Lawson, G, Brampton, Ont.
Jean-Victory Mukama, G, Hamilton
Kassius Robertson, G, Toronto
Phil Scrubb, SG, Richmond, B.C.
Thomas Scrubb, SF, Richmond, B.C.
Kyle Wiltjer, PF, Portland, OR
Kalif Young, F, Toronto
Coaches
Nate Bjorkgren
Nathaniel Mitchell