***Official Tokyo Olympic Basketball Thread***

[Calinks]

For the last 4 or so Olympics, I have been hyped to watch the basketball, I think it is pretty fascinating to see all the different talent, styles, and philosophies come together on an international stage. Of course, there is US Basketball but there are so many talented NBA players and prospects on other teams, it is fun to see them ball.

For the last 5 years I have been keeping an eye on the Canadian squad. I see them as a booming powerhouse, it hurts so badly that Jamal Murray is injured and wont be playing but I still think they have enough talent to medal, it will be tough but they are a lot more stacked now days compared to where they were a decade ago.

https://www.basketball.ca/news/19-athletes-participating-in-senior-mens-national-team-camp-ahead-of-fiba-olympic-qualifying-tournament

Name

Position

Height

Hometown

Previous / Current Club

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Guard

6’6”

Toronto, ON

New Orleans Pelicans

R.J. Barrett

Guard

6'6”

Mississauga, ON

New York Knicks

Charles Bediako

Centre

6’10”

Brampton, ON

Alabama Crimson Tide (NCAA)

Trae Bell-Haynes

Guard

6'2”

Toronto, ON

Crailsheim Merlins (Germany)

Anthony Bennett

Forward

6’8”

Toronto, ON

Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico)

Aaron Doornekamp

Forward

6’7”

Napanee, ON

Tenerife (Spain)

Luguentz Dort

Guard

6’4”

Montreal, QC

Oklahoma City Thunder

Zach Edey

Centre

7’4”

Toronto, ON

Purdue Boilermakers (NCAA)

Melvin Ejim

Forward

6'6"

Toronto, ON

Buducnost VOLI (Montenegro)

Cory Joseph

Guard

6'3"

Toronto, ON

Detroit Pistons

Owen Klassen

Centre

6'10"

Kingston, ON

Boulazac Basket Dordogne (France)

Trey Lyles

Forward

6’10”

Saskatoon, SK

San Antonio Spurs

Bennedict Mathurin

Guard

6’7”

Montreal, QC

Arizona Wildcats (NCAA)

Isiaha Mike

Guard

6’8”

Toronto, ON

Niners Chemnitz (Germany)

Mychal Mulder

Guard

6’3”

Windsor, ON

Golden State Warriors

Andrew Nembhard

Guard

6’5”

Aurora, ON

Gonzaga Bulldogs (NCAA)

I'm also excited to see what NBA stars play for their countries. Think this is going to be a good time though I don't know if anyone will be able to give the US a run for their money this time.

[theGreatRC]

I'd like to see Ant get an invite before the final roster is decided. That experience could be huge for him

[shrink]

I think this is Wiggins first time playing for his country, right?

I was selfishly happy he turned down previous invites to work on his game when he was with us.

[Calinks]

I don't love team USA's big situation. I'd like to see another sizable center but Bam should do really well.

[Calinks]

I think this is Wiggins first time playing for his country, right?

I was selfishly happy he turned down previous invites to work on his game when he was with us.

It wasn't the Olympics but I know he played some FIBA ball for Canada around his rookie season, I remember watching those games. They were pretty good but fell short after a nice run.

When I first saw Jamal Murray right after highschool but before college play for Canada, I knew he was really taltend. He was a leader of that team as a HS kid. When healthy, Canada can field a very talented squad with a nice smattering of vet and young talent. I'm actually looking forward to seeing Anthony Bennett too.

[UnFadeable21]

The team will be highlighted by Kevin Durant, who will go for his third gold medal and be the only returning member of the 2016 team that won gold at the Rio Olympics. But the roster is stacked with All-Stars playing in their first Olympics, including Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum, Draymond Green and Kevin Love, to name a few.

USA Basketball finalized its star-laden roster for the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, getting pledges from Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine and Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant, while Brooklyn Nets star James Harden had to withdraw because of a hamstring injury, USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN.

Three players on the roster -- Milwaukee Bucks stars Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday and Phoenix's Devin Booker -- are still active in the postseason and could play as late as July 22, the latest date for an NBA Finals Game 7.

Team USA's first game in Japan is scheduled for July 25 against France. But all three have committed to traveling quickly to Japan by private plane, Colangelo said.

[theGreatRC]

I'd like to see Ant get an invite before the final roster is decided. That experience could be huge for him

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[Calinks]

I'd like to see Ant get an invite before the final roster is decided. That experience could be huge for him

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

That's pretty incredible! Two young wolves getting on that scene. Nice experience and hopefully a doorway for either of them to get in during the world cup.

[Klomp]

Edwards was kinda expected for something like this, but hearing Naz got an invite is pretty incredible to hear!

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

How I'd put the depth chart:

Lillard / Holiday
Booker / Beal
LaVine / Middleton
Durant / Tatum / Grant
Adebayo / Green / Love

[Calinks]

Just saw that5 wolves be playing in Tokyo!

Prigioni is coaching.

Rubio and Juancho will be playing for Spain

Bolmaro is playing for Argentina

Okogie is suiting up for Nigeria

This is going to fun times!

[shrink]

Every time I see the roster, I think, “Kevin Love?”

[Klomp]

Every time I see the roster, I think, “Kevin Love?”

Olympic vet and his game is a good fit for international ball

[shangrila]

Every time I see the roster, I think, “Kevin Love?”

Olympic vet and his game is a good fit for international ball

No, he's the token white guy.

Didn't you get the memo?

[_AIJ_]

Anybody know the full roster of the select team?

[Klomp]

Every time I see the roster, I think, “Kevin Love?”

Olympic vet and his game is a good fit for international ball

No, he's the token white guy.

Didn't you get the memo?

Let me refresh my database.....got it now.

[Mattya]

Love shouldn’t be on team USA especially with his outbursts with the Cavs.

[shrink]

Every time I see the roster, I think, “Kevin Love?”

Olympic vet and his game is a good fit for international ball

No, he's the token white guy.

Didn't you get the memo?

Read on Twitter

[Klomp]

Anybody know the full roster of the select team?

Read on Twitter

[_AIJ_]

Anybody know the full roster of the select team?

Read on Twitter

Thanks! Ant is the best player in this group