Team Canada Basketball Thread

[frumble]

Still nothing on Basketball Canada site re players who will be at the training camp for U18s, but I did notice that Andrew Nembhard was one of the attendees at the age group assessments over the Easter weekend.

http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-article/mens-high-performance-hosts-age-group-assessment-camp-in-toronto

Maybe a sign that he is considering playing at the U18s?

Two members of last years U19 world champsionship team are eligible for this summer's U18s - Barrett and Emmanual Miller. Miller is also listed as having been at the Easter assessments.

Other notable 2000 born players who were at the assessments:
Tyrese Samuel
Joel Brown
Jaden Bediako
AJ Lawson
Lual Akot

Notable 2001-born players (would be eligible for U17 team) who were at the assessments:
Cashius McNeilly
Addison Patterson
Josh Hemmings
Shemar Rathan-Mayes
Matthew Alexander-Moncrief
Luka Sakota
Keeshawn Barthelemy
Paris Shand

As noted in the article Mojo linked a couple posts above, many of these guys expected to be on the U17 team. Will be interesting to see if any of them crack the U18 team instead of (or perhaps in addition to) the U17.

And also interesting that two 2003-born players were at the assessments - Caleb Houstan and Jayden Webley. HairCanada wrote about both of these guys in his post on the class of 2022.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1645274

[frumble]

Nice updates, thanks Mojo.

In the meanwhile, ESPN with their latest mock draft. Shai at 12 (Clippers) and JJ at 46 (Rockets).

In latest NBAdraft.net mock (May 15) SGA 12th and JJ 56th.

Latest CBSsports (May 16) has SGA 13th. (It's first round only, so no JJ).

NBA.com (May 16) has SGA 12th. It also gives summary of mock lottery picks from several other sources:
http://www.nba.com/news/2018-consensus-mock-draft

The Ringer (May 15) has SGA 12th.

Sports Illustrated (May 15) has him 14th.

SB Nation (May 15) is an outlier, having SGA 8th.

Basketball Insiders (May 11) have him 11th.

USA Today (April 8), Bleacher report (May 15), and Net Scouts (May 15) do not have him in lottery.

[mojo13]

Nice updates, thanks Mojo.

In the meanwhile, ESPN with their latest mock draft. Shai at 12 (Clippers) and JJ at 46 (Rockets).

In latest NBAdraft.net mock (May 15) SGA 12th and JJ 56th.

Latest CBSsports (May 16) has SGA 13th. (It's first round only, so no JJ).

NBA.com (May 16) has SGA 12th. It also gives summary of mock lottery picks from several other sources:
http://www.nba.com/news/2018-consensus-mock-draft

The Ringer (May 15) has SGA 12th.

Sports Illustrated (May 15) has him 14th.

SB Nation (May 15) is an outlier, having SGA 8th.

Basketball Insiders (May 11) have him 11th.

USA Today (April 8), Bleacher report (May 15), and Net Scouts (May 15) do not have him in lottery.

The Stepian has SGA at 14 in their composite rankings (not a mock).
https://www.thestepien.com/2018-draft-rankings/

NBA Draft Room updated their mock May 15 and have him at 11 and Jackson at 54.
http://www.nbadraftroom.com/p/2018-nba-mock-draft.html


This draft should have some meaningful movement with the workouts.

[mojo13]

Solid analysis of SGA (and all PGs in the draft) from The Stepian
https://www.thestepien.com/2018/05/17/2018-draft-positional-breakdown-pgs/

Has him as the 2nd best PG prospect.

[mojo13]

Zalgiris falls to Fenerbache 76-67. After a slow start & falling behind by 11 in the 1st half, Kevin Pangos led a fantastic Q3 rally to get to within 2 pts entering the 4th, but that's as close as it got. Fantastic show by KP in front of a bevvy of NBA scouts. Led w/ 16p/5r/4a

[WellYouKnow]

Another fiba article. This time about Olynyk. Good to know he's all in.

http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019/americas-qualifiers/news/canadas-olynyk-expects-tough-battle-against-dominican-republic-looks-to-close-out-first-round-strong

Spoiler:

TORONTO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Kelly Olynyk has been impressed with what Canada have done so far in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers and is now looking to do his part in the third window, including prevailing in a crucial clash with Dominican Republic.

Canada head into their June-July games with a 3-1 record that sees them in second place in Group D behind the undefeated (4-0) Dominicans - who beat the Canadians 88-76 at home last November - and has ensured their progress through to the Second Round.

In order to grab the top spot in the group, the Canadians not only need to beat their rivals on June 29 in Toronto but also pass them on the tiebreaker.

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17/05/2018 NEWS
Canada's Olynyk expects tough battle against Dominican Republic, looks to close out First Round strong
Canada's Olynyk expects tough battle against Dominican Republic, looks to close out First Round strong
TORONTO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Kelly Olynyk has been impressed with what Canada have done so far in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers and is now looking to do his part in the third window, including prevailing in a crucial clash with Dominican Republic.

Canada head into their June-July games with a 3-1 record that sees them in second place in Group D behind the undefeated (4-0) Dominicans - who beat the Canadians 88-76 at home last November - and has ensured their progress through to the Second Round.

In order to grab the top spot in the group, the Canadians not only need to beat their rivals on June 29 in Toronto but also pass them on the tiebreaker.

"When you play at home, you have to win and that is what we're going to do," Olynyki said. "It's going to be a tough battle against Dominican Republic and we'll need to get the job done for the last games of the First Round to try and reach the top spot in the group."

Olynyk has followed the Qualifiers even though he has not played in the first two windows because of his commitments with the NBA's Miami Heat. He has a lot of appreciation for the efforts put in by all those who lined up for Canada during the early stages of the Qualifiers.

"The guys did what they needed to do except one game, but it's been really good in my opinion," said the 7ft (2.13m) forward-center. "They came in and stepped on the court playing with all their energy and gave it all for the national team jersey for the first two windows."

When you play for the national team, it's not about yourself. It's about the country, the entire nation," he went on. "The guys have been doing great and we need them for the next games and the future as well. There are always more and more players that can be included in the national team and that is great for us, both for our present and for the future of the national team."

Olynyk, 27, said he intends on playing in the third window, which will see Canada conclude their First Round campaign against Virgin Islands on July 2 in Ottawa.

"If I have the chance and ability to do so, yes for sure I would love to play with the national team this summer. It's always an honor, something very important for me to represent my country and play with the national team," he said.

The Toronto native has already worn the red and white of Canada on a number of occasions. After playing at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2008 and the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2009, Olynyk made his senior national team debut at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 in Turkey where he averaged 8.2 points and 2.8 rebounds. He also turned out at the FIBA AmeriCups in 2011 and 2015, collecting 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists at the latter one.

"It's something great, something very important as I love to represent my country. I still remember when I was able to play for the national team for the first time - I will never forget it. You are among the guys selected to represent your country and it's not about you, but it's all about the whole nation," he said. "You represent the entire country; you play as one, as you wear the national team jersey with pride. That's a unique kind of feeling, and it’s so great, when you are an athlete for example, to be able to live this kind of experience."

Olynyk is also looking forward to playing in front of his compatriots this summer.

"We want to show the fans we are very competitive and we know we can count on them to be loud and very supportive. Playing at home is a great thing and we are all - the players and the fans - looking forward to those games," he said.

It's time for Olynyk and Canada to finish things off in the First Round.

[LuDux1]

Watch on YouTube

[TheFutureMM]

Watch on YouTube

He looks lethal and confident. Should be interesting to see where he lands this summer.

[mojo13]

Dylan Ennis really needs to be recognized as well. He has had a fantastic season in Europe and is now tearing up the ACB after moving on from Crvena.

Read on Twitter

He very well could well get a training camp invite. Kenny Chery has played great this year in the ACB as well, not quite at this level though.

[frumble]

FIBA Americas U18s start June 10. Still no word re Canada's roster or training camp list (beyond the age group assessments from Easter weekend), but, FWIW, the FIBA site has six players listed under Canada's roster:

http://www.fiba.basketball/americas/u18/2018/team/Canada#|tab=roster

Bediako, Brown, Miller, Nembhard, Patterson, and Samuel.

[BilboBanginz]

Read on Twitter

http://basketball.ca/en/news-article/slug-swlp30

[mojo13]

Read on Twitter

http://basketball.ca/en/news-article/slug-swlp30

This seems like a good thing. She came across as having an agenda that in my opinion was not the best for Canadian Basketball as a whole. She should share some of the blame for the SMNT under-performing recently despite now having an abundance of world class talent.

[Mattd97]

Dylan Ennis really needs to be recognized as well. He has had a fantastic season in Europe and is now tearing up the ACB after moving on from Crvena.

Read on Twitter

He very well could well get a training camp invite. Kenny Chery has played great this year in the ACB as well, not quite at this level though.

Doesn't Jamaica have his rights now?

[mojo13]

Dylan Ennis really needs to be recognized as well. He has had a fantastic season in Europe and is now tearing up the ACB after moving on from Crvena.

Read on Twitter

He very well could well get a training camp invite. Kenny Chery has played great this year in the ACB as well, not quite at this level though.

Doesn't Jamaica have his rights now?

I would consider this forum as the most knowledgeable public information on the topic and no one here is quite sure. Yes - he last played for Jamaica in a FIBA tournament (2013 FIBA Americas maybe?) and unless there is new information he is still likely tied to Jamaica. However playing for Jamaica isn't going to do much for him and player are allowed to switch countries. He would need to be released by the Jamaican federation if that has not happened already. Federations usually do release guys if they want. Considering his history and family I can only assume he would be drawn to playing for Canada, but I really have no concrete knowledge. Recall Ejim once played for Nigeria - but I can't remember if that was a full FIBA event.

[Hair Canada]

FIBA Americas U18s start June 10. Still no word re Canada's roster or training camp list (beyond the age group assessments from Easter weekend), but, FWIW, the FIBA site has six players listed under Canada's roster:

http://www.fiba.basketball/americas/u18/2018/team/Canada#|tab=roster

Bediako, Brown, Miller, Nembhard, Patterson, and Samuel.

I think all of these six have an excellent chance to be among the final 12 (they would certainly be on my ideal team for this tournament). All pretty much no-brainers. Another player that would have a sure spot on the team if he wishes is AJ Lawson.

That would leave 5 open spots. RJ Barrett is almost surely a no-go this time (will already be working with Duke and seems like he can only lose here after his amazing shwoing at the U19 last year). So who else? For guards/wings, I would take 2-3 out of the following: Tre Edwards, Jahcobi Neath, Wheza Panzo, Lual Deng, and Casius McNeilly. I would also consider Keshaus Saunders, who's eligible, but I think he's since he's going to college next year he's not likely to come. Of these, my own choices would be Edwards, Neath, and McNeilly, but I think Panzo might have a better chance than at least one of the last two. For bigs, it would be two out of Jevonnie Scott (more of a combo forward), Malcolm Bailey, and Ben Hendriks. I would personally choose Hendriks, the only one besides Bediako with some size on this team, and then I don't have a clear preference between Bailey and Scott.

To sum, my guess would be that the final team would look something like this:

PG: Nembhard and Brown
SG: Lawson, Edwards, Patterson, Neath/Panzo/McNeilly
Wing: Samuel, Miller
Bigs: Bediako, Hendriks, Bailey/Scott

A pretty small team, with fairly strong guards, but probably not enough to give the Americans a good fight inside.

[mojo13]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[frumble]

A couple Canadians listed in this ESPN article re 15 impact transfers.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/23584806/how-college-basketball-free-agency-shaping-up


Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga Bulldogs
Previous team: San Jose State
If all goes according to plan, Clarke could slide in alongside Rui Hachimura and Killian Tillie to form the latest in a long line of strong Gonzaga front lines. The 6-8 forward turned heads with a breakout sophomore season at San Jose State in 2016-17, one in which he led the Spartans in scoring, crashed the glass, blocked shots and even dished assists.

Marial Shayok, Iowa State Cyclones
Previous team: Virginia
Iowa State took a big step back last season on offense and defense, and Shayok will have every opportunity to show he can help the Cyclones on both sides of the ball. As a junior at Virginia in 2016-17, he was given a featured scorer's role, albeit as he alternated between starting and coming off the bench. The 6-5 wing will give Steve Prohm's rotation needed experience and a good wingspan on defense.

[verysalt]

I feel sad if Pangos leaves Zalgiris. He was so natural there. If anything, i hope he can get to Spurs where he would be coached by Jasikevicius daddy, Popovich.

[Hair Canada]

AJ Lawson has also reclassified to 2018 and is currently looking for the best college fit (has a couple of offers on the table, including Oregon, Baylor, and South Carolina). The latest addition to an already very strong 2018 Canadian class. Leaves a pretty weak class of 2019 though. Lawson was perhaps the top prospect in this class after Barrett and Nembhard reclassified last year. Now, for me, the title goes to Quincy Guerrier, but he might also decide to eventually reclassify.

Personally, I think Lawson is not ready for college. He has a lot of talent, but he's still painfully thin, gets bumped easily, and his outside shot is very streaky and inconsistent. I think he'll show flashes, but no chance for a one-and-done. That said, perhaps the fiercer competition and improved conditioning will help him realize his potential quicker. Most likely, we'll have a chance to see him in two weeks playing on home soil for the Canadian U18 team.

[frumble]

Senior team training camp invite list announced

http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-article/slug-ugw09h

9 NBA guys invited:
Bennett
Birch
Boucher
Olynyk
Thompson
Brooks
Joseph
Murray

The other four (Ennis, Lyles, Stauskas, and Wiggins) listed as "Players unavailable for June."

Non-NBA guys invited:
Ejim
Nicholson
Scrubb
Scrubb
Pangos
Hanlan
Heslip
Best
Keane


Overall, a solid list of invitees.

Notable guys missing (other than the 4 NBAers listed above) include XRM, Long, Pierre, Doornekamp, Landry, and Klassen. Also Anderson and Anthony, who I guess may now be retired.