Team Canada Basketball Thread V2.0

[PoundTown]

Mojo, as always, thanks for the updates.

Will be very interesting to see how deep we have to go with the guards/wings.

On a different note, anyone have info re how any of our guys did in NCAA foreign tours?
I read that Brazdeikis led Michigan in scoring during their tour of Spain, with 17, 15, and 15 points.
And Barrett's performances in Duke's Canadian tour got a lot of press.
Any others?

Brazdeikis offensive game was great, although his defensive game is very much so a work in progress. If he can sort that out, along with continuing to improve range on 3 point shot (inevitable IMO), he will have a solid career in the NBA. Power 3 guy. Defense will always be his flaw even if he improves. Long way to go in that regard.

[TheFutureMM]

Didn't see it posted so I figured I would contribute - ESPN's latest mock is up. Canadians include:

1. RJ
23. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
31. Lindell Wigginton
35. Oshae Brissett

Notable omission is Simi obviously. Thoughts?

[TheFutureMM]

Also, Hair or Mojo, would love to get your opinions on the top 3 players per class (Freshman vs Soph vs Junior vs Senior) between NCAA/CIS.

[Hair Canada]

Also, Hair or Mojo, would love to get your opinions on the top 3 players per class (Freshman vs Soph vs Junior vs Senior) between NCAA/CIS.

That's an interesting one, mainly because there's significant depth in the Freshman and Sophomore classes, but much less in the Junior and Senior ones. Still, let's give it a shot:

Freshman: First two are easy. RJ and Simi. For #3 I'd go with Dort, although Nembhard and Brazdeikis are certainly also legitimate options.

Sophomore: NAW, Brissett, and Wigginton (Akot and Kabengele are contenders, but haven't yet shown enough at this point)

Junior: Her'es where it gets tricky. Very few interesting prospects I can think of here. Justing Jackson was supposed to be the guy, but decided to go to the NBA. Kobe McEwen is probably the best remaining prospect, but he transferred, so he'll be sitting out next year. Same goes for Nate Darling. Next in line for me would be Eli Mitrou-Long (Naz's brother), who I expect will have a nice year in Texas, Jackson Rowe, and Marcus Ottey. None of them I think are NBA/SMT potential.

Senior: More depth here. I'd probably go with Kyle Alexander, Brandon Clarke, and Marial Shayok. Joseph Chartouny is also a guy I quite like.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Also, Hair or Mojo, would love to get your opinions on the top 3 players per class (Freshman vs Soph vs Junior vs Senior) between NCAA/CIS.

That's an interesting one, mainly because there's significant depth in the Freshman and Sophomore classes, but much less in the Junior and Senior ones. Still, let's give it a shot:

Freshman: First two are easy. RJ and Simi. For #3 I'd go with Dort, although Nembhard and Brazdeikis are certainly also legitimate options.

Sophomore: NAW, Brissett, and Wigginton (Akot and Kabengele are contenders, but haven't yet shown enough at this point)

Junior: Her'es where it gets tricky. Very few interesting prospects I can think of here. Justing Jackson was supposed to be the guy, but decided to go to the NBA. Kobe McEwen is probably the best remaining prospect, but he transferred, so he'll be sitting out next year. Same goes for Nate Darling. Next in line for me would be Eli Mitrou-Long (Naz's brother), who I expect will have a nice year in Texas, Jackson Rowe, and Marcus Ottey. None of them I think are NBA/SMT potential.

Senior: More depth here. I'd probably go with Kyle Alexander, Brandon Clarke, and Marial Shayok. Joseph Chartouny is also a guy I quite like.

I'd basically agree with this list. Another thing to consider though, Future asked about CIS as well, so I'm curious, does Eddie Ekiyor count as a Junior? If so, he might be the only CIS player to make it onto this list, and might be in the top 3 for that year. I don't think he has NBA potential, but I wouldn't rule him out as a possible depth forward in coming years for the National Team for some of those qualifying games.

[Bobby Plump]

My money is on Manu suiting up for Argentina's qualifiers and the world cup. Scola is usually there when it counts, too.

[mojo13]

I’ll take that bet....


Argentina already announced their 12 man roster.


Campazzo
Laprovíttola
Vildoza
Fjellerup
Flor
Deck
Brussino
Giorgetti
Saiz
Scola
Delía
Acuña



Pretty much the same as they had in July. One new player with Deck I believe. A strong addition too.

[Patman]

I’ll take that bet....


Argentina already announced their 12 man roster.


Campazzo
Laprovíttola
Vildoza
Fjellerup
Flor
Deck
Brussino
Giorgetti
Saiz
Scola
Delía
Acuña



Pretty much the same as they had in July. One new player with Deck I believe. A strong addition too.

Deck and Flor are going to be a dangerous duo. They have the speed to keep up with Team USA's Wall. I'm surprised they didn't add Seeling to the team, though.

[mojo13]

I’ll take that bet....


Argentina already announced their 12 man roster.


Campazzo
Laprovíttola
Vildoza
Fjellerup
Flor
Deck
Brussino
Giorgetti
Saiz
Scola
Delía
Acuña



Pretty much the same as they had in July. One new player with Deck I believe. A strong addition too.

Deck and Flor are going to be a dangerous duo. They have the speed to keep up with Team USA's Wall. I'm surprised they didn't add Seeling to the team, though.

I dont know much about Flor (Boca Juniors) but didn’t think he was a key player for ARG. I know Deck is an undersized PF that is supposed to be the heir to Scola. He is likely their best young and upcoming player and just signed with Real Madrid. Not sure if he even starts. Regardless ARG are playing PR and MEX this window. And if you are reffering to John Wall, there is no indication he is playing nor any NBA players for the USA.

Anyone hear anything on the Team USA roster? You’d think they’d beef it up a little when the NBA players are available even if it is not top tier guys. We see what happens when they think they can roll with Alex Caruso and David Stockton as thheir PGs. They get thrashed by Mexico.

[WellYouKnow]

Looks like Kaza Keane is going to be on the team

His team tweeted (translated" "Our point guard Kaza Kajami-Keane has been called up for the national team of Canada! Read the interview with this Canadian warrior now!
@The_905Kid

#Hammertime

#Zwolle

#basketball"

haven't seen anything else mentioned about the roster yet though

[mojo13]

Hmmm. Interesting about Keane.

Duane Notice also tweeted he has been invited to camp.



I had a feeling we’d need to dig deep to fill out the roster. But perhaps Keane and Notice are an indication that mabye we are having a large camp with the intent to have the Nov/Feb pool if guys there as well to get comfortable with the system?

[mojo13]

Peter Yannonoplous confirming that Dillon Brooks is playing and Jamal Murray is not playing due to this being a contract year. (but a big part of the program going forward).

Having Brooks is huge.

[WellYouKnow]

Hmmm. Interesting about Keane.

Duane Notice also tweeted he has been invited to camp.



I had a feeling we’d need to dig deep to fill out the roster. But perhaps Keane and Notice are an indication that mabye we are having a large camp with the intent to have the Nov/Feb pool if guys there as well to get comfortable with the system?

That would make alot of sense

Can't find anything outside of that 1 tweet from Keanes team so it's not like he's confirmed on the final roster yet

Any word on when the camp is taking place?

[mojo13]

Hmmm. Interesting about Keane.

Duane Notice also tweeted he has been invited to camp.



I had a feeling we’d need to dig deep to fill out the roster. But perhaps Keane and Notice are an indication that mabye we are having a large camp with the intent to have the Nov/Feb pool if guys there as well to get comfortable with the system?

That would make alot of sense

Can't find anything outside of that 1 tweet from Keanes team so it's not like he's confirmed on the final roster yet

Any word on when the camp is taking place?

Starts the 6th.


I think Keane will make the team as a depth PG. I am very suspect about XRM, Pangos, Ennis etc. being released. even worried about Scrubb.

[Hair Canada]

I agree Brooks is huge. If CoJo is also confirmed, we're in good shape.

Yannopoulos also confirmed that Barrett is not going to come to these games. Says it would be a "disgrace" if we don't qualify, which is of course true. Suggests also that there will be NBA guys cut from the team (I think he was talking about the current upcoming two games). If so, I think that's a good sign.

[mojo13]

USA fielding another sub par team despite 200 plus NBA players to call on.

https://sportando.basketball/m/en/national-teams/world-cup/287476/seven-nba-players-named-to-usa-mens-world-cup-qualifying-team-training-camp.html

Lithuania also announced their 12 man roster today and no NBA players.


More props to Rowan Barrett and our NBA talent that is expected to show.

[mojo13]

Spain without all nine of their NBA players too.
https://sportando.basketball/m/en/national-teams/world-cup/287414/spain-will-be-without-nbaers-in-the-upcoming-fiba-wc-qualifiers.html

[Hair Canada]

Some more from Yannopoulos: TT in. Powell and Bennett out.

[mojo13]

THat sucks with Powell. I’d take him over TT in a second. I sort of had a suspicion with Powell as he was no where in the marketing promos.

Bennett is an odd one. What else does he have going on? injured? Maybe a contract in Asia or Europe in the works? I hope him not being there ends up inconsequential.

We really need Olynyk, Birch and Ejim. We previously thought both Powell and Bennett were in. KO and Birch have been in the marketing promos.

Chris Boucher would be a nice add at this point. After that, I think Landry remains unsigned. Trasolini is back with his team in Japan already. Wonder if Nicholson is in the running. He’d be a good pairing next to TT or Birch.

[Gday_eh]

From what the Spanish media are saying Kevin Pangos is going to play for Canada at FIBA.

https://www.mundodeportivo.com/baloncesto/basket-feb/20180903/451594792148/barca-solo-pierde-oriola-pangos-ventana-fiba-septiembre.html

1st Paragraph translated;

"Pierre Oriola and Kevin Pangos will be the only two Barça Lassa players who will leave the preseason of the Catalan team to join the concentration of their respective teams in the nearby FIBA ​​window (9 to 17 September), in which the first matches will be played of the second phase of the qualifying tournament for the 2019 World Cup of China".


I for one am really excited to see KP suit up for Canada again, can't wait to see him and Kelly Olynyk on the same court again.