Already 6-0 in FIBA World Cup qualifying action, Canada is using its cushion to experiment with some different lineups in the games ahead.
Canada is set to tip off its second-round slate in the coming days, with games against Panama on Thursday and Argentina on Monday, and a few key names won't be on the team sheet, general manager Rowan Barrett announced Tuesday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks and Andrew Nembhard won't be part of Canada's roster for this window, and the team will instead be led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luguentz Dort and Kelly Olynyk as its representatives from the NBA.
Barrett and Bennedict Mathurin of the Los Angeles Clippers will join the team as ambassadors but will not play.
The younger duo of up-and-coming NBAers Leonard Miller and Kyshawn George are also set to sit out this window.
According to Barrett, Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe was set to suit up for these two games but suffered an untimely meniscus injury on Monday, which will sideline him for at least six months.
Canada is currently atop its group at 6-0 after dominant wins over Puerto Rico and Jamaica in its last window in early July, with Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the crew in tow.
However, the second round of qualifying presents harder matchups, with games against 5-1 teams Argentina and Uruguay.
Canada will face Panama in Panama City on Thursday, then will travel to Quebec City for its game against Argentina.
Here's a look at the full roster for the August window:
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- Luguentz Dort
- Kelly Olynyk
- Khem Birch
- Trae Bell-Haynes
- Marcus Carr
- Mfiondu Kabengele
- Kaza Kajami-Keane
- Koby McEwen
- David Muenkat
- Nick Ongenda
- Jackson Rowe
- Thomas Scrubb
- Keevan Veinot
- Kyle Wiltjer
-- With files from the Canadian Press
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