TORONTO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Kelly Olynyk has been impressed with what Canada have done so far in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers and is now looking to do his part in the third window, including prevailing in a crucial clash with Dominican Republic.

Canada head into their June-July games with a 3-1 record that sees them in second place in Group D behind the undefeated (4-0) Dominicans - who beat the Canadians 88-76 at home last November - and has ensured their progress through to the Second Round.

In order to grab the top spot in the group, the Canadians not only need to beat their rivals on June 29 in Toronto but also pass them on the tiebreaker.

"When you play at home, you have to win and that is what we're going to do," Olynyki said. "It's going to be a tough battle against Dominican Republic and we'll need to get the job done for the last games of the First Round to try and reach the top spot in the group."

Olynyk has followed the Qualifiers even though he has not played in the first two windows because of his commitments with the NBA's Miami Heat. He has a lot of appreciation for the efforts put in by all those who lined up for Canada during the early stages of the Qualifiers.

"The guys did what they needed to do except one game, but it's been really good in my opinion," said the 7ft (2.13m) forward-center. "They came in and stepped on the court playing with all their energy and gave it all for the national team jersey for the first two windows."

"YOU REPRESENT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY; YOU PLAY AS ONE, AS YOU WEAR THE NATIONAL TEAM JERSEY WITH PRIDE. THAT'S A UNIQUE KIND OF FEELING" OlynykOlynyk

"When you play for the national team, it's not about yourself. It's about the country, the entire nation," he went on. "The guys have been doing great and we need them for the next games and the future as well. There are always more and more players that can be included in the national team and that is great for us, both for our present and for the future of the national team."

Olynyk, 27, said he intends on playing in the third window, which will see Canada conclude their First Round campaign against Virgin Islands on July 2 in Ottawa.

"If I have the chance and ability to do so, yes for sure I would love to play with the national team this summer. It's always an honor, something very important for me to represent my country and play with the national team," he said. 

"IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH BATTLE AGAINST DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND WE'LL NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR THE LAST GAMES OF THE FIRST ROUND TO TRY AND REACH THE TOP SPOT IN THE GROUP" OlynykOlynyk

The Toronto native has already worn the red and white of Canada on a number of occasions. After playing at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2008 and the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2009, Olynyk made his senior national team debut at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 in Turkey where he averaged 8.2 points and 2.8 rebounds. He also turned out at the FIBA AmeriCups in 2011 and 2015, collecting 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists at the latter one.

Olynyk made his senior national team debut as a 19-year-old at the World Cup in 2010

"It's something great, something very important as I love to represent my country. I still remember when I was able to play for the national team for the first time - I will never forget it. You are among the guys selected to represent your country and it's not about you, but it's all about the whole nation," he said. "You represent the entire country; you play as one, as you wear the national team jersey with pride. That's a unique kind of feeling, and it’s so great, when you are an athlete for example, to be able to live this kind of experience."

Olynyk is also looking forward to playing in front of his compatriots this summer.

"We want to show the fans we are very competitive and we know we can count on them to be loud and very supportive. Playing at home is a great thing and we are all - the players and the fans - looking forward to those games," he said.

It's time for Olynyk and Canada to finish things off in the First Round.

FIBA