Sacre and Olynyk to Canada FIBA Americas Training Camp

[ZagNative]

Per basketball.ca,

ORONTO, ON - The Canadian Men's National Team has announced the 16 athletes, including 10 players from the NBA, who will attend training camp in Toronto, ON from August 14-20 in advance of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City.

"We have a talented mix of NBA and pro athletes and we're excited to get them in the gym together," said Head Coach Jay Triano. "This camp will be an opportunity to train, build team chemistry and prepare for a tough and important tournament with the goal of qualifying for Rio."

Triano will be joined by Assistants Dave Smart (Ottawa, ON), David Vanterpool (Washington, DC) and Bryan Gates (New Orleans, LA).

Tryouts and training camp will take place from August 14-20 at the Air Canada Centre. Full training camp roster and staff list below.

The team will participate in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City, Mexico from August 31-September 12. The 1st and 2nd place teams will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

In advance of the FIBA Americas, Team Canada will head to Puerto Rico to participate in the Tuto Marchand 5-team exhibition tournament from August 23-26.

Invitees:

Bennett, Anthony
Bhullar, Sim
Doornekamp, Aaron
Ejim, Melvin
English, Carl
Hanlan, Olivier
Heslip, Brady
Joseph, Cory
Murray, Jamal
Nicholson, Andrew
Olynyk, Kelly
Powell, Dwight
Sacre, Robert
Scrubb, Phil
Stauskas, Nik
Wiggins, Andrew

[DZ]

Will Rob Sacre make the team?

[Mojo13]

Will Rob Sacre make the team?

I think it is near certain. Rob is the only serviceable true center on that list and his skill set will be very much needed. Fiba is a very rough and tumble game. Very different from NBA or ncaa ball. Someone will be needed to take offense when Wiggins gets manhandled on a drive to the hoop. Canada's roster doesn't scream "tough guys". Most are young and inexperienced and will be susceptible to getting abused by wily fiba vets. Big Rob will have an important enforcer/defensive anchor type role while chipping in some buckets.

Keys to this team are KO, Cory Joseph and Wiggins. Next in importance is a long range wing stepping up (Stauskas, Heslip, English?), PF depth and then Big Rob bringing some manliness to the kids.

[DZ]

I think it is near certain. Rob is the only serviceable true center on that list and his skill set will be very much needed. Fiba is a very rough and tumble game. Very different from NBA or ncaa ball. Someone will be needed to take offense when Wiggins gets manhandled on a drive to the hoop. Canada's roster doesn't scream "tough guys". Most are young and inexperienced and will be susceptible to getting abused by wily fiba vets. Big Rob will have an important enforcer/defensive anchor type role while chipping in some buckets.

Keys to this team are KO, Cory Joseph and Wiggins. Next in importance is a long range wing stepping up (Stauskas, Heslip, English?), PF depth and then Big Rob bringing some manliness to the kids.

That's really cool. I hope you're right. Thanks for the great answer. Hope Kevin gets a shot at it some day.

[OZZY]

If Kevin was not invited to the camp (and declined for some reason) then I am disgusted with Canada Basketball management, especially as he has such a strong connection with KO and Big Rob.

[Mojo13]

If Kevin was not invited to the camp (and declined for some reason) then I am disgusted with Canada Basketball management, especially as he has such a strong connection with KO and Big Rob.

Save your disgust for something other than Team Canada mgmt. which is mostly Steve Nash, Rowen Barratt and Jay Triano by the way. Who are all very close to KP.

Kevin is supposed to report to Spain in a couple weeks to get acclimated. He was not really in the picture all summer - choosing summer league instead of the PanAms. Typically most rooks are focused on their first pro contract and don't participate in national team duties. Hanlan is the exception here as maybe he needs to get to Lithuania at a later date. KP will be involved with Team Canada down the road but he has some work to do as he is arguably the 4th or 5th PG on the depth list.

[Bogozags]

Wondering why Tristan Thompson isn't on this roster...have not seen a better offensive rebounder in quite some time...maybe since Paul Silas...

[webspinnre]

Wondering why Tristan Thompson isn't on this roster...have not seen a better offensive rebounder in quite some time...maybe since Paul Silas...

Might have something to do with his ongoing contract dispute.

[Mojo13]

Might have something to do with his ongoing contract dispute.

Correct. Announced yesterday that Tristan is officially out because of contract dispute and inability to insure him.
Other notable absences:
Tyler Ennis - recovering from off season shoulder surgery.
Trey Lyles (Jazz) - Rookie season getting acclimated to his first pro season (Like Pangos).
Andy Rautins - unknown by me. I think he may be without a pro contract right now and might be uninsurable
Sam Dalembert - falling out with Team Canada many years ago and hasn't been involved for the past five years
Joel Anthony (Pistons) - getting up there in age and I think just passing the torch


Outside of Thompson and Ennis I think we have our best available guys (maybe Rautins is better than English or Heslip). I wouldn't mind Pangos there as I dont think Murray can play due to NCAA regs and KP is a better pure PG than Hanlan and more experienced with FIBA ball.

My ideal roster from that list:

Joseph, Hanlan
Stauskas, English, Heslip
Wiggins, Ejim (although Doornekamp probably gets the nod)
Nicholson, Bennett
Olynyk, Sacre, Powell

Not bad, but very young and inexperienced in FIBA. Unfortunately qualifying for the Olympics will all come down to a single semi-final game in a hostile environment where anything can happen.

[DZ]

Had Pangos made the team, or even be invited, it would be amazing to have 3 players of that caliber coming from little Gonzaga.

I sure hope that these successes pay dividends down the road.

[OZZY]

Had Pangos made the team, or even be invited, it would be amazing to have 3 players of that caliber coming from little Gonzaga.

I sure hope that these successes pay dividends down the road.

Obviously I am disappointed that Kevin is not there...

He would only be used as a pure point guard and may not have the height and athleticism to play the 2 at this level. Hanlan and Scrubb have a bit of height on him.

I sure hope he kicks but in Europe over the next couple of years and pushes his way on to the team...

[Mojo13]

Final twelve should be announced Thursday or Friday and then they are off to Puerto Rico for four warm up games (Tuto Marchand Cup) with ARG, BRA, DR and PR - Starting this Sunday against ARG.

KO should be starting and I fully expect Rob to make they team as see significant minutes backing up KO.

FIBA Americas which starts at the end of the month - may see 10 games in ten days for Canada so lots of playing time to go around as teams are going to need to dig deep.

[ZagNative]

Roster for Tuto Marchand tournament announced: http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-art...ontinental-cup

TORONTO, ON (August 20) - The Canadian Men's National Team has announced the 13 athletes, who will attend the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup exhibition tournament in Puerto Rico from August 23-26, ahead of the 2015 FIBA Americas Men's Championship in Mexico City.

"We've had an intense camp and we’re looking forward to transitioning into game play," said Jay Triano, Head Coach. "Tuto Marchand will give us an opportunity to play against some of our key competition prior to the Olympic qualifier."

Triano will be joined by Assistants Dave Smart (Ottawa, ON), David Vanterpool (Washington, DC) and Bryan Gates (New Orleans, LA).

Team Canada will take on Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the 5-team exhibition tournament. Click here for full schedule.

Following the exhibition tournament, the Men's National Team will announce the final 12 players who will represent Canada at the FIBA Americas, where the 1st and 2nd place teams will qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Fans can watch the exhibition tournament at LiveBasketball.TV

The 2015 FIBA Americas Championship takes place in Mexico City, Mexico from August 31-September 12.

Bennett, Anthony
Doornekamp, Aaron
Ejim, Melvin
Hanlan, Olivier
Heslip, Brady
Joseph, Cory
Nicholson, Andrew
Olynyk, Kelly
Powell, Dwight
Sacre, Robert
Scrubb, Phil
Stauskas, Nik
Wiggins, Andrew

[sittingon50]

Congrats to Rob & Kelly!!

[GonzagasaurusFlex]

Roster for Tuto Marchand tournament announced: http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-art...ontinental-cup

Bennett, Anthony
Doornekamp, Aaron
Ejim, Melvin
Hanlan, Olivier
Heslip, Brady
Joseph, Cory
Nicholson, Andrew
Olynyk, Kelly
Powell, Dwight
Sacre, Robert
Scrubb, Phil
Stauskas, Nik
Wiggins, Andrew

Guess the youngster PG, Jamal Murray, will be in Kentucky for first week of school. Coach Cal must be thrilled. After watching PanAm games, I'm surprised but it's probably best for him academically.