Canada cuts extended FIBA World Cup roster, Murray's return delayed / News - Basketnews.com

Canada shortens FIBA World Cup 2023 roster: Cory Joseph, Oshae Brissett, and Kassius Robertson withdraw. Canada Basketball also takes precautions with Jamal Murray's return, eyeing an August 17 comeback.

Credit: AP, AFP - Scanpix Credit AP, AFP - Scanpix

Canada has made adjustments to its extended roster for the FIBA World Cup 2023, with 14 players left on the squad.

Oshae Brissett

Position:SFAge:25Height:203 cmWeight:95 kgBirth place:Toronto, CanadaProfileNewsStatistics

According to Doug Smith of The Star, veteran guard Cory Joseph has withdrawn to prepare for his season with the Golden State Warriors, while Boston Celtics forward Oshae Brissett has been ruled out as a precaution as he deals with a knee injury, and Valencia Basket forward Kassius Robertson has pulled out of the rest of the international season.

Per Sportsnet's Michael Grange, Kevin Pangos was dropped byCanada Basketball on August 4. While he's fully recovered from injuries this past season in Milan, having his contract insured due to those injuries has proven problematic.

In Doug Smith's report, it's also mentioned that Canada is taking extra precautions regarding Jamal Murray, an NBA champion with the Denver Nuggets. After undergoing significant knee surgery two years ago, Murray's return to Canada's team won't be before August 17, given that the World Cup kicks off on August 25.

During the upcoming set of exhibition games in Germany this week, Murray will remain at home. Both the Nuggets' medical team and Canada Basketball will evaluate his condition. The optimistic scenario is his return for the games on August 17 and 19 in Spain, or potentially for the World Cup commencing on August 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Doug Smith adds that while Canada Basketball officials are hopeful that sufficient rest will enable Murray to rejoin the team for the final two exhibition matches and the tournament, certainty is not guaranteed.

Canada's exhibition series will commence with a 13-man roster. Among them, seven players are from the NBA, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, R.J. Barrett, Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks, Kelly Olynyk, and Dwight Powell. They will be joined by Trae Bell-Haynes, Kyle Alexander, Melvin Ejim, Zach Edey, and Phil and Tommy Scrubb.

The team's schedule includes a game against Germany in Berlin on Wednesday, followed by a match against New Zealand on Saturday, and another against China or Germany in Hamburg on Sunday.

Canada FIBA World Cup extended roster

1 Thomas Scrubb SF 199 cm 31 yo 2 Trae Bell-Haynes PG 188 cm 27 yo 2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander PG 198 cm 25 yo 5 Luguentz Dort SG 193 cm 24 yo 6 Nickeil Alexander-Walker SG, PG 196 cm 24 yo 7 Dwight Powell C 210 cm 32 yo 9 R.J. Barrett SG, SF 201 cm 23 yo 15 Zach Edey C 221 cm 21 yo 21 Kyle Alexander PF, C 208 cm 26 yo 22 Melvin Ejim SF 201 cm 32 yo 23 Philip Scrubb PG, SG 191 cm 30 yo 24 Dillon Brooks SF, SG 198 cm 27 yo 27 Jamal Murray PG 193 cm 26 yo 41 Kelly Olynyk PF 213 cm 32 yo

Canada FIBA World Cup exhibition games schedule

Date Opponent Location August 9th Germany Berlin, Germany August 12th New Zealand Hamburg, Germany August 13th China or Germany Hamburg, Germany August 17th Spain Granada, Spain August 18th Dominican Republic Granada, Spain Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.