Canada name Murray, Thompson, Olynyk and Joseph in squad for third window

VANCOUVER (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - Canada are poised to tap into the amazing talent of Jamal Murray after naming the 21-year-old guard in their 18-man squad ahead of the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

Murray last played for the senior team at the 2015 Pan American Games when Canada finished runners-up to Brazil. He just averaged 16.7 points per game and shot 37.8 percent (165 for 436) from behind the arc in his second season with the Denver Nuggets.

Other Canadians in the NBA who were invited to the training camp on June 20-21 at the Richmond Olympic Oval are Cory Joseph (Indiana Pacers), Kelly Olynyk (Miami Heat), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Dillon Brooks (Memphis Grizzlies), Khem Birch (Orlando Magic) and Chris Boucher (Golden State Warriors) .

Canada's 18-man squad ahead of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers
Anthony Bennett	Aaron Best	Khem Birch	Chris Boucher
Dillon Brooks	Melvin Ejim	Olivier Hanlan	Brady Heslip
Cory Joseph	Kaza Kajami-Keane	Jamal Murray	Andrew Nicholson
Kelly Olynyk	Kevin Pangos	Dwight Powell	Phil Scrubb
Tommy Scrubb	Tristan Thompson

Players that have helped Canada to a 3-1 record in the Qualifiers that have been invited are Aaron Best, Melvin Ejim, Brady Heslip, Anthony Bennett, Tommy Scrubb, Kaza Kajami and Olivier Hanlan.

Another notable invitee is Kevin Pangos, who had a terrific season with Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania.

"HOSTING MEANINGFUL GAMES AT HOME ON CANADIAN SOIL IS AN EXPERIENCE OUR PLAYERS WON'T EVER FORGET." Former Canada international Rowan Barrett

Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins was unavailable for the June window.

Canada's Qualifiers are against the Dominican Republic (June 29) at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto and the Virgin Islands (July 2) in Ottawa's The Arena at TD Place.

The Dominicans (4-0) will be a significant test. They won the first World Cup Qualifier meeting against Canada on November 27.

As part of their preparations, Jay Triano's team will host China in the Pacific Rim Basketball Classic in late June. Rogers Arena in downtown Vancouver will host Team Canada on Friday, June 22 at 7:30 PM PT before the team travels to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria for a game on Sunday, June 24 at 5:00 PM PT.

"We're excited to continue the positive momentum that has been created through the first two windows as we look to take another step forward in our goal of qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019," Triano said.

Commenting on the players that have been invited to camp, former Canada international Rowan Barrett, the Assistant GM/Executive VP of the Senior Men's Program said: "The new qualification structure has showcased the depth of our program, that we have grown over several years, as we currently find ourselves near the top of our group heading into pivotal matchups to conclude the first round."

Barrett also highlighted the importance of having Qualifiers played in Canada.

"Hosting meaningful games at home on Canadian soil is an experience our players won't ever forget," he said.

FIBA