Canada will try to take advantage of hosting the final window to finish strong

NASSAU (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) — Canada fulfilled their purpose of winning both their games in Nassau. Now their minds are set on a third window in which they could improve their roster to seek the Group D leadership in the Americas, using to their advantage the fact that both games will be played at home.

The North American team (3-1) closed the second part of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers with ample victories against the US Virgin Islands and the Bahamas and are right behind Dominican Republic (4-0) in the group’s top spot.

For the third window, Canadians and Dominicans will face each other in Toronto on June 29; and on July 2, the North Americans will be visited by the US Virgin Islands.

Canada hopes to use both games in the home court to their favor to end with the best possible record in the road to the second part of the Qualifiers, which start in September. Likewise, they hope to have the support of their people; who already saw them win on November against the Bahamas, in the city of Halifax.

“As countries, and players, and coaches, you have to adjust to the new system. I think it gives a chance for teams to play in their home country and for the fans to see their home team play,” said Canada coach Gordon Herbert.

The Northern squad could count on a reinforced roster, although their coach did not wish to comment much as to this regard.

With Jamaal Murray (Denver Nuggets) and Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves) leading the list, Canada has more than 10 players in the NBA, which could play for the National Team both in the summer window as in the first of the second part that begins in September.

“I have no idea I have get back to my job. For me it was just an honor to represent Canada and to be part of this group,” Herbert simply said; he coaches club Skyliners Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga.

Likewise, Canada has a long list of ballers in other foreign leagues, such as big men Aaron Doornekamp (Valencia, in Spain's ACB) and Andrew Nicholson (Guangdon Southern, in China’s league). Both have previous experience with the National Team and could very well be joining the team soon to give it more power for the important dates that are scheduled for the summer and September.

Canada seeks to return to the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time since 2010, after not qualifying for the prestigious event that took place on 2014 in Spain.

FIBA