Canada Basketball is set to embark on its first Olympics appearance since 2000 at the 2024 Paris Games.
It will have to do so without one of its most important big men, as Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey withdrew from training camp back in June.
The two-time NCAA National Player of the Year is coming off another dominant collegiate campaign, earning himself a top-10 selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. His frontcourt presence could have been crucial for Canada.
Edey represented Canada at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, but he didn't have a defined role on the team that won bronze. Now, he will cheer on his country from afar as Canada looks to earn its first Olympic medal in men's basketball since 1936.
MORE: Why the Grizzlies used No. 9 pick to select Zach Edey
Why isn't Zach Edey playing for Team Canada?
Shortly after the 2024 NBA Draft, Edey announced that he would not play for Team Canada to keep his focus on his rookie season with the Grizzlies.
"I have made the difficult decision of pulling myself out of the process to compete for a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics with Canada," Edey said in a statement.
"I have a duty now to properly prepare for all that is coming my way with being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. The work I put in this summer on my body and my game is critical for me to be the best version of myself."
Instead, Edey competed for the Grizzlies in the NBA's Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. He only appeared in two games — one in each Summer League — before suffering an ankle injury that would keep him sidelined for the remainder of Memphis' summer schedule.
MORE: Latest updates on Zach Edey's ankle injury
Edey looked strong in those two games, though.
He went for 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks in an impressive outing against the Jazz and rising star center Walker Kessler in Salt Lake City. He only played eight minutes against the Pelicans in Las Vegas but recorded six points, three rebounds, and one block. Edey finished Summer League shooting 10-for-15 (66.7 percent) from the field.
There is no doubt that Edey's year-over-year improvement would have been enough to make an impact on Canada's limited frontcourt at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He will now worry about getting his ankle back to full strength for his rookie season ahead of Grizzlies training camp in September.
Canada Olympics men's basketball roster
Here is the complete 12-man roster for Canada at the 2024 Olympics in Paris:
| Name | Hometown | Team |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Toronto, Ontario | Timberwolves |
| RJ Barrett | Mississauga, Ontario | Raptors |
| Khem Birch | Montreal, Quebec | Basquet Girona |
| Dillon Brooks | Mississauga, Ontario | Rockets |
| Luguentz Dort | Montreal, Quebec | Thunder |
| Melvin Ejim | Toronto, Ontario | Unicaja Malaga |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Hamilton, Ontario | Thunder |
| Trey Lyles | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Kings |
| Jamal Murray | Kitchener, Ontario | Nuggets |
| Andrew Nembhard | Aurora, Ontario | Pacers |
| Kelly Olynyk | Kamloops, British Columbia | Raptors |
| Dwight Powell | Toronto, Ontario | Mavericks |
Canada Basketball 2024 Olympics schedule
Canada opens its Olympic journey against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Greek National Team. They then take on Australia before closing group play against Spain.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| July 27 | Greece | 3 p.m. |
| July 30 | Australia | 7:30 a.m. |
| Aug. 2 | Spain | 11:15 a.m. |
