TORONTO (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - Tristan Thompson didn't have much time to catch his breath after winning the NBA title earlier this summer with the Cleveland Cavaliers because he left almost immediately to join Canada's national team at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in the Philippines.

He regrets that some of the country's other NBA players chose not to join him because Canada might have had the edge they had needed against a star-studded France side that beat them in the Final to clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Tristan Thompson played for Canada at the OQT in Manila

Andrew Wiggins, who was healthy, was among those who passed on the opportunity to represent Canada, citing the preference to work on his own game to prepare for the 2016-17 NBA campaign with Minnesota. Wiggins had played at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship when Thompson did not.

"[It should] challenge the guys who didn't play to next time when the country calls," Thompson said in an interview with ESPN. "Step up and play.

"I think if we just continue to jell and come together and continue building that chemistry, I see us as potentially being one of the top countries in terms of competing on a (high) level. Next time when it comes around, we'll give them a call and hopefully they'll show up. Join something special." - Thompson

After the article was published, Thompson was asked again about the topic.

"I think you guys definitely took what I said yesterday the wrong way," Thompson said in remarks on cbc.ca. "At the end of the day, obviously the national team is important but at the same time, guys have careers that go on (hold) for eight to nine months.

"So some guys like myself, I couldn't play one year because of my contract situation. Guys have these situations, whether it's injuries, contract situations, being on a new team or really just not (being) healthy enough to play.

"Everyone has their own reasons why they cannot participate, but if we have the opportunity where everyone can play and are healthy and everything, if all the dots line up and we have the opportunity to play, we definitely would enjoy that."

Canada still had a very good team at the OQT. Thompson and his teammmates put on a show for the fans.

Thompson is optimistic about the future. He says his national team has a great chance to take the next step and become one of the top sides in international basketball.

"I think we just need to continue to keep growing," he said. "We definitely are one of the younger teams in international play. We're one of the more talented teams, too.

"So I think if we just continue to jell and come together and continue building that chemistry, I see us as potentially being one of the top countries in terms of competing on a (high) level."

FIBA