After a successful first-place run at the FIBA America’s tournament, Canada booked its first ticket to the FIBA Baketball World Cup since 2010.
And now, following the World Cup draw that took place on Saturday, we know which group they have been placed in.
Canada (FIBA rank: 23) will compete in Group H at the tournament, which begins on August 31st in Beijing, China.
Joining Canada will be Lithuania (6), Australia (11), and Senegal (39).
After finishing 0-5 at the World Cup in their lone appearance in the last 12 years, the senior men’s national team will be playing for more than just pride and continuing their recent stretch of great results — there’s also a potential Olympic berth to be had.
With 7 automatic bids up for grabs (Japan, the host nation of the 2020 Tokyo Games, has already qualified), Canada will have a shot at returning to the Olympics for the first time since the Sydney Games in 2000.
Qualifying for an Olympic bid via the World Cup won’t be easy, with limited spots up for grabs. But the tournament also determine which countries will compete in the Olympic qualifiers in early 2020.
But for now, the national team program will have its eyes set on China later this summer with a chance to build off a successful calendar year for the senior men’s team and an opportunity to climb the ladder in international basketball.
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