Jordi Fernandez reacts to winning bronze with Canada in FIBA World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Canada national team head coach Jordi Fernandez says that this bronze medal means a lot for the whole country and program, but people in the NBA don't know what the whole team goes through.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Canada just won its first-ever medal in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and head coach Jordi Fernandez couldn't show more of how proud he is of his team.

Player of the Game EFF 42 Dillon Brooks Points 39 Accuracy 12-18 Rebounds 4 Assists 5

"Really proud of Dillon. This is how it looks when they let Dillon Brooks play, and it's not only on the offensive end," Fernandez said in the post-game conference. "He and Lu [Dort] are the best perimeter defenders in the World Cup. Offensively, he's been extremely efficient, and it's not only this game. I don't think it gets better than today's performance."

"Shai has been amazing to me, he's an MVP of this World Cup. What these guys did today… Obviously, it wasn't perfect. We still have to learn how to box out after the free throw. It's good to learn when you win.

This team was amazing and special. It's the beginning of something that will last for a long time. All 12 guys came in and worked every day since August 1.

They got better at least 1% better every day. We are here showing that we can do great things. Thanks to Dillon, to all the guys, the organization, the board, the country for trusting me," Fernandez concluded his lengthy introductory comment.

The 40-year-old was also asked what he learned about team stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks throughout the month he worked with them.

"I've learned that they are great people, and I would take them to my team from now until the end of my career. All of them," Fernandez said.

As Canada brings home its first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup medal, Fernandez said it's one of those things you realize only when you achieve it.

However, he also noted how differently it's being looked at in the NBA.

"The medal means a lot to the guys, the program, the board, the country. It's an accomplishment that you don't know what it is until you do it. We can go back and tell people in the NBA, 'We were in the World Cup, we won a medal.' Alright (shrugs). They just don't know what you go through together for all these days, wins and losses, and the emotions. It's just very different. They'll never know. We are the only ones that know," Fernandez said.

Canada / Schedule

Spain Canada85-88 Canada Slovenia100-89 Serbia Canada95-86 USA Canada118-127

"All these relationships that we built will stay forever. I appreciate what Dillon said, and my love goes back to all these guys.

I'd take these guys on my team every day of the week from now until the end of my career because I know. I've been with him from the morning, days, and weeks, and traveled. That's what really matters," the Spanish coach continued.

Canada basketball teamCredit FIBA

After mentioning the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, Fernandez stated one thing very clearly: the players that arrived in this World Cup will have priority for the upcoming summer.

"About the team next year? I don't know. 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," Fernandez concluded.

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