The state of Canada Basketball has never been better.
For the men's team, results are beginning to serve as a reflection of the program's progress, as the national team made history by winning bronze at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, punching its ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics in the process.
Canada's 2023 World Cup team was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one of seven active NBA players on the roster, which is only a fraction of the 20-plus Canadian players that are currently on an NBA roster. The second figure is the one that is strumming up excitement for the future of Canada Basketball, as the program will have its pick of NBA players to bring to the Olympics and beyond.
"About the team next year? I don't know," head coach Jordi Fernandez said. "We have a great program. We have guys that want to be a part of it, and we'll decide when the time comes. But all these guys have a No. 1 ticket because they've made this happen.
"We believe in loyalty. Obviously, you come and fight for a spot, but we owe a lot to these guys. If we want to build the right program and if we don't do it this way, it doesn't make sense."
That said, there are some players who were absent at the World Cup that could add another dynamic to Canada's Olympic team.
Being mindful of the priority that will be given to players who played at this year's World Cup, let's look at the potential 12-man roster for Canada at the 2024 Olympics.
MORE: Which basketball teams have qualified for Paris 2024 Olympics?
Who should be on Canada's roster for 2024 Olympics?
Guards
As outlined above, it all starts with Gilgeous-Alexander. Unquestionably the top Canadian in the NBA, SGA emerged as the unquestionable No. 1 option for the team during the World Cup and, at 25 years old, will be the face of the program for several international competitions to come.
After Gilgeous-Alexander, the program has a few choices to make. The largest conversation will revolve around Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who, after a deep run in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, was unable to participate in the World Cup despite initially being present for training camp.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
We expected Gilgeous-Alexander to impress at the FIBA World Cup, but he was somehow even better than our loftiest expectations. The All-NBA First Teamer is on the path to superstardom at the NBA level and has now established himself as an international superstar in FIBA competition.
Gilgeous-Alexander is only getting better, which is as encouraging for Canada as it should be scary for other nations.
MORE: How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated the World Cup
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Alexander-Walker has been a mainstay for Canada, taking the floor at Olympic qualifiers in 2021 and the World Cup in 2023.
The confidence that Alexander-Walker has gained from his role with the Timberwolves has carried over into his time with Team Canada. His shooting and slashing ability from the guard position are very important and his familial connection with his cousin, Gilgeous-Alexander, is a bonus.
Jamal Murray
It's understandable that Murray sat out of the World Cup because of his extended road to recovery from his 2021 ACL injury and intense workload during Denver's 2023 championship run.
With Murray and SGA in tow, Canada could very well put out the best backcourt at the Olympics. As important as guard play is, the path to medaling starts with getting these two on the court together.
Cory Joseph
Joseph had to withdraw from World Cup consideration due to a back issue but in 2024 should get the call. The element of pure point guard play is important at the international level and Joseph brings that, along with over a decade of international experience.
Joseph will be 32 during the 2024 Olympics meaning it will likely be one of his last opportunities to represent Canada. Both parties should make the most of it.
Apologies to: Trae Bell-Haynes, Andrew Nembhard, Kevin Pangos, Phil Scrubb
Wings
There's depth on the wing which makes for some tougher calls but the conversation almost exclusively includes those that were on hand at the World Cup in 2023.
The wing rotation has a good thing going and it's crucial to build on that. There are a few up-and-comers worthy of serious consideration, but while building the foundation, it's important to go with known commodities. The young players will have their time.
RJ Barrett
Barrett had highs and lows during the World Cup, but in some respects, that is to be expected of a 23-year-old. Despite his youth, Barrett is far from inexperienced, as his experience with the FIBA game extends well beyond his years.
When the summer Olympics roll around, Barrett will have another NBA season under his belt and approaches a golden opportunity to turn the corner in his development as a FIBA player, meaning more consistency.
Dillon Brooks
Canada simply does not medal if Brooks is not on the World Cup roster, a fact that extends well beyond his 39-point heroics in the bronze medal game. For his efforts, he was named the tournament's top defender.
With Brooks and Luguentz Dort, Canada has the luxury of having two of the world's best perimeter defenders, which will go an extremely long way considering the amount of guard talent it could face in the Olympics.
MORE: Dillon Brooks rewrites record books in Canada's historic bronze medal win
Luguentz Dort
Another player who has become a mainstay for the Canadian Men's National Team, Dort is a no-brainer. Dort's standing as one of the best perimeter defenders in the world makes him a crucial component of a team in search of even more international success.
Melvin Ejim
Ejim might not make the headlines but he is a FIBA veteran who has played a key role for Canada Basketball throughout the duration of his professional career.
When the Olympics roll around, Ejim will be 33, meaning he, too, will be approaching the end of his time playing at a high level for this team. During the World Cup, he averaged 10.0 minutes per game and had some big moments. Ejim deserves to be a part of this program's Olympic moments.
Andrew Wiggins
Given Fernandez's comments, this may be somewhat of a controversial pick, but Wiggins' standing as one of the NBA's best Canadians is not up for debate. If there were any player worth softening a stance for, it would be Wiggins.
Consider the fact that Wiggins could realistically be the team's third option behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Murray and think about how much of a luxury that would be. Opposing defenses would have to pick their poison, potentially giving Wiggins even more freedom than he had while being the fourth-leading scorer during Golden State's title run.
Scary.
Apologies to: Oshae Brissett, Bennedict Mathurin, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Shaedon Sharpe
Bigs
The frontcourt is possibly the most concerning position group, simply for a lack of depth. The small ball approach may prove to be key, but Canada can't do it without a few key big men, which starts with the rotation from the World Cup.
Memphis' Brandon Clarke got the most serious consideration of others but his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during the 2022-23 season makes it hard to envision him suiting up for international competition in the summer. Zach Edey's height would be a bonus, but Canada was unable to take advantage due to his other weaknesses.
A three-man rotation in the frontcourt isn't ideal, but it does bank on someone like Wiggins spending time at the 4, which is doable.
Kelly Olynyk
The captain, Olynyk has quite literally been through it all with this national team program, including a disheartening 0-5 run at the 2010 World Cup. Without Olynyk, who knows where this program would be.
Olynyk is another player that played an integral role in the 2023 World Cup run and he will do the same at the Olympics. You can't have a Canadian Senior Men's Team without Olynyk.
Dwight Powell
Perhaps the closest thing to a pure center in the pool of players, Powell is also as close to a guaranteed selection as there is. He measures in at 6-10, is a lob threat and was one of the team's top rebounders at the World Cup.
Powell has been a program mainstay as well and has earned his place as an Olympian through his contributions up to this point and his role moving forward.
Charles Bediako
Perhaps a pick from left field, Bediako deserves consideration to overtake the role held by Kyle Alexander and Zach Edey at the World Cup. Bediako, a 7-foot athlete with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, went undrafted in 2023 but was picked up by the Spurs due to his potential.
Even if it's in a minimal role, Bediako's potential as a big man capable of fitting the traditional athletic rim protector mould makes him the final selection here.
Apologies to: Kyle Alexander, Khem Birch, Chris Boucher, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Trey Lyles, Leonard Miller
