Canada invites Barrett, Murray to FIBA camp, but Wiggins absent
Canada Basketball announced Tuesday a list of 29 players invited to the team's training camp in Toronto in August ahead of the FIBA World Cup later this summer.
New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray headline the group, which also contains NBA veterans Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, and Kelly Olynyk.
One name notably absent, however, is that of 2014 first overall pick Andrew Wiggins. Team Canada general manager Rowan Barrett told a conference call Tuesday that Wiggins didn't "feel like this is the right time for him ... we have to respect that and move forward."
The Minnesota Timberwolves forward has turned down the opportunity to play for his country in recent events, though Barrett said in June that Wiggins was committed to representing Canada at the upcoming tournament. The 24-year-old last played for the senior side at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.
Of the 29 players invited to Canada's training camp, only 12 will make the final squad.
"Being asked to represent your country is a tremendous honor and we're excited about the group of athletes that we have invited to training camp next month in Toronto," Barrett said in a statement. "These athletes demonstrate the depth of talent we now have in our country, as we prepare to meet the challenge of the FIBA Basketball World Cup."
Canada's training camp will take place Aug. 4-6 at the Toronto Raptors' OVO Athletic Centre. The team is scheduled to compete in exhibition games against Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States before flying out to China for the tournament. Canada plays its first FIBA World Cup contest against Australia on Sept. 1.
List of 29 invitees:
Player | Team |
---|---|
Nickeil Alexander-Walker | New Orleans Pelicans |
R.J. Barrett | New York Knicks |
Aaron Best | Riesen Ludwigsburg (Germany) |
Khem Birch | Orlando Magic |
Chris Boucher | Toronto Raptors |
Oshae Brissett | Syracuse Orange (NCAA) |
Dillon Brooks | Memphis Grizzlies |
Brandon Clarke | Memphis Grizzlies |
Aaron Doornekamp | Valencia Basket (Spain) |
Luguentz Dort | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Melvin Ejim | BC UNICS (Russia) |
Brady Heslip | Istanbul BBSK (Turkey) |
Cory Joseph | Sacramento Kings |
Mfiondu Kabengele | Los Angeles Clippers |
Naz Mitrou-Long | Salt Lake City Stars (G League) |
Trey Lyles | San Antonio Spurs |
Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets |
Andrew Nembhard | Florida Gators (NCAA) |
Kelly Olynyk | Miami Heat |
Kevin Pangos | FC Barcelona Basketball (Spain) |
Dwight Powell | Dallas Mavericks |
Phil Scrubb | Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia) |
Thomas Scrubb | Openjobmetis Varese (Italy) |
Marial Shayok | Philadelphia 76ers |
Andy Rautins | Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul (Turkey) |
Nik Stauskas | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Tristan Thompson | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Kyle Wiltjer | Unicaja Malaga (Spain) |