Two of the biggest names in Canadian basketball have confirmed their participation in next summer's Olympic qualification tournament, with an up-and-comer joining in on the maple-flavoured party.
Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce their intention to don the Maple Leaf in June, when Canada hosts a last-chance, six-team competition in Victoria, B.C.
All three were among the many NBA players who missed the FIBA World Cup in September, in which Canada finished with a 2-3 record — well outside the standard needed to book a place in Tokyo. The Canadians only had two NBA players on the roster for that tournament, despite boasting more players in basketball's biggest league than any country except the United States.
Denver Nuggets guard Murray, who attended Canada's pre-World Cup camp in Toronto as a spectator due to injury, was the first to confirm his participation next summer, tweeting that he wanted "to take the step and leadership role" by committing to the national team early.
Playing for my country is always an honour and I want to take the step and leadership role to commit to @canadabasketball this summer. I want to play my part to help push our team into the Olympics and compete at the highest world stage. Let’s go Canada🇨🇦🇨🇦
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) November 26, 2019
“I wanted to get the word out early because I feel like I have a leadership role and want to let the other guys know I’m all in, I’m ready to play,” Murray told Sportsnet . “I feel healthy and I’m ready to go ahead and try to help us qualify for the Olympics.”
A few hours after Murray posted his intentions, Oklahoma City Thunder sophomore Gilgeous-Alexander followed suit.
"I too will be there to do my best to help @CanBball get to Tokyo!" he tweeted.
I've known and made a promise to myself that representing my country is something I will continue to do and as my bro @BeMore27 publicly announced his commitment, I too will be there to do my best to help @CanBball get to Tokyo!
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (@shaiglalex) November 27, 2019
Alexander-Walker, GIlgeous-Alexander's cousin and a rookie with the New Orleans Pelicans, joined the chorus of public commitments to the Canadian program late Tuesday.
Excited to announce that I’ll be playing for @CanBball 🇨🇦 this summer. Blessed to be able to represent my country and compete against the best in the world. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid growing up in Toronto. #WeAreTeamCanada
— Nickeil Alexander (@TheReal_NAW1) November 27, 2019
Having three prominent Canadian NBA players publicly committing to the cause can be nothing but good news to head coach Nick Nurse, who saw most of the country's top-tier talent drop out ahead of the World Cup. Murray, 22, is in his fourth year in the NBA, averaging 18.9 points and five assists per game. Gilgeous-Alexander, 21, moved to Oklahoma City after spending his rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, and averages 19.3 points and 5.3 rebounds through 16 games this season.
Pelicans guard Alexander-Walker, averaging 6.4 points per game through his first 16 NBA contests, starred for Virginia Tech for two seasons and is seen as another in a growing line of talented Canadian guards.
The young trio's commitment comes hours prior to Canada learning its path to the Olympics. A draw for the four qualifying tournaments — the other three will be held in Croatia, Lithuania and Serbia — will take place Wednesday.
Canada hasn't qualified for the men's Olympic tournament since 2000.