Canada men’s basketball team headed to Olympics for first time in 24 years after beating Spain
“We’re going to the Olympics, baby!”
Those were the words proclaimed by a dancing R.J. Barrett after Canada’s 88-85 victory versus the reigning World Cup Champion Spain, clinching an Olympic berth for the first time since 2000.
Canada qualified for next year’s Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games by finishing as one of the top two Americas countries at the 2023 FIBA World Cup of Basketball.
Of the Americas teams, Mexico and Venezuela were eliminated in the first round, and losses earlier in the day by Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Brazil set up the clinching game during the evening against the Spaniards.
The game had intensity from the opening tip as both teams alternated made baskets for much of the quarter, ending the first ten- minute frame tied at 21.
Spain found its momentum in the second quarter as Santiago Aldama scored seven of his twenty points to open the quarter, helping the 2022 EuroBasket Champions to take control of the game.
A costly mistake by newly-signed Houston Rockets guard Dillon Brooks also contributed to the Spanish lead. With 3:11 remaining in the first half, Brooks was called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Spain’s Willy Hernangomez just as Juan Nunez scored a three-pointer.
As a result of the foul, Hernangomez shot two free throws, Spain retained possession of the ball, and Nunez’s three-pointer counted. That seven-point possession led to the number one ranked team in the world being up ten at half, but the pendulum soon began to swing in Canada’s favour.
The Canadians were electric from the start of the third quarter as they stormed back with a 17-4 run in just over five minutes, taking the well-deserved 55-52 lead.
Spain didn’t back down, going on their own 21-7 run after that to go up 12 after 30 minutes of basketball.
However, Canada was relentless and fought back once again.
Brooks came alive offensively in the fourth, going three-for-three from deep, including a crucial three-pointer with 1:19 left in the game to tie it up at 80.
Canada continued that momentum into the next Spain possession as they forced a Spanish turnover giving the Canadians the chance to take the lead with under a minute remaining.
All-star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his defender in isolation as he hit the crossover followed by the step-back jump shot to sink the go-ahead bucket, which was likely the biggest shot in Canadian basketball’s recent history.
Gilgeous-Alexander then hustled on the defensive end, as the TCL Player of the Game stole the ball from Dario Brizuela which led to the intentional foul giving him two free throws. The Hamilton-native made both of his free throws, tallying 30 points in the game and extending the lead to four.
There was no looking back for Team Canada as they earned the massive victory and a coveted berth in the Olympic Games.
At those Olympic Games, the Canadians are hoping to have an even stronger team than the one at this World Cup, which beat 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist France by 30 points.
The team is currently led by seven NBA players; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Dillon Brooks (Rockets), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Timberwolves), Luguentz Dort (Thunder), Kelly Olynyk (Jazz), Dwight Powell (Mavericks) and R.J. Barrett (Knicks), but are hoping to have an even stronger contingent of NBA stars in a year’s time.
NBA Champion Jamal Murray (Nuggets) elected to withdraw from the roster, citing the need for rest and recovery following his long 2022-23 season which ended with a title in late June.
A starting backcourt of Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander would be one of the best in the tournament as both players averaged over 20 points per game in the NBA last season – they are a cornerstone of the future of Canada Basketball.
Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins (Warriors) is another all-star who would likely slot right into the starting five if he chooses to participate next summer. Wiggins missed much of last season, plagued by personal issues, but still scored over 17 points per game to go along with five rebounds and shooting just under 40 percent from three-point range.
Whether or not Wiggins, Murray and others decide to play for Canada, the national team is in a great position to be well-represented on the world stage and compete for the gold medal.
For more information about the Canadian senior men’s national team, click here.