Nine former U SPORTS athletes from six schools selected to the Senior Men’s National team training camp roster for the second-last qualifying window
Leaning heavily on a cast of former U SPORTS stars, Canada Basketball announced their 16-man training camp roster on Tuesday for the fifth window of qualifications for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The coaching staff, including a McGill graduate in assistant coach Philip Jetkovic will evaluate the roster before deciding who to take to Edmonton, Alberta for their two qualifying matches against Venezuela on Nov. 10 and Panama on Nov. 13.
Into the second round of the FIBA Americas qualifying tournament, Canada, currently with a record of 8-0 sits atop Group E – which contains Venezuela (7-1) and Panama (2-6), as well as the Bahamas (2-6), Argentina (6-2), and the Dominican Republic (5-3).
With the top three sides of the six-team group advancing to the World Cup and Canada sitting clear of fourth place Dominican Republic by three points with four games remaining, a pair of wins would almost certainly book Canada a spot in the World Cup next August.
To do that, the Canadians will likely head to Edmonton with a roster leaning heavily on some U SPORTS veterans.
Aaron Best – Ryerson Rams (2011-2016)
Lloyd Pandi – Carleton Ravens (2019-2022)
Thomas Kennedy – Windsor Lancers (2018-present)
Jean-Victor Mukama – Ryerson Rams (2013-2019)
Kadre Gray – Laurentian Voyageurs (2016-2020)
Owen Klassen – Acadia Axemen (2009-2014)
Conor Morgan – UBC Thunderbirds (2012-2018)
Phil Scrubb – Carleton Ravens (2010-2015)
Tommy Scrubb – Carleton Ravens (2009-2015)
Canada plays their first of two matches at the Edmonton Expo Centre against Venezuela on Nov. 10 at 9:10 pm EST before playing Panama on Nov. 13 at 7:10 pm EST.