'Stretch Four' Nicholson a key man for Canada

TORONTO (2015 FIBA Americas Championship) - Andrew Nicholson is an invaluable member of the Canadian basketball team, one who should figure prominently at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship.

He played well at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship and on Canada's European tour in 2014.

Though coach Jay Triano will not announce his final squad for Mexico 2015 for some time, the 25-year-old Nicholson appears to have as good a chance as any player to be in the squad.

"A stretch four is a valuable position in the international game," Triano said to FIBA.com recently, "he [Nicholson] has the ability to stretch the defenses and hit the three-point shot at the international line.

"He was very effective for us. Both he and [Tristan] Thompson bring different dimensions to the team."

Though the 2.06m Nicholson had reduced minutes for the early part of this NBA season with the Orlando Magic, he received more playing time as the year wore on.

He is geared up to play in Mexico City, which is where the FIBA Americas Championship is to be held from 31 August to 12 September.

The two sides that reach the Final will seal places in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

"Yes, that is a goal for me," he said to FIBA.com.

"I want to help my national team achieve something big this summer.

Canada has the potential to build one of the best teams in the world and I want to contribute to that process. - Nicholson

"I also dream of winning medals and titles with the Canadian jersey and being in Rio next year.

"That would be amazing to compete in the most famous tournament in the world."

Though Canada did not qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, they did show plenty of promise in their attempts to do so.

In a pivotal clash with the Dominican Republic late in the FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, the Canadians suffered a narrow 81-74 defeat but Nicholson had 29 points.

"I improved a lot by playing at a FIBA tournament," Nicholson said.

"I had some good games, but at the end I felt disappointed by the fact that we finished sixth in the tournament.

"We had a lot of youngsters but we had some good games.

"We gained experience for the future.

"We have all the ingredients to build a very competitive national team for the future."

Canada will play in Group B of this summer's event against Argentina, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Venezuela.

The top four sides will progress and meet the four teams that come out of a Group A that includes hosts Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

It is going to be a great tournament. - Nicholson 

"I talk about it sometimes with my Canadian teammates and we are very excited to have a great campaign in Mexico," Nicholson said.

Nicholson says the trials that will take place this summer will be very competitive.

"A lot of players can make the roster and the training camp is going to be very intense," he said.

"But we can achieve something huge and we would like to finish in a spot where we can qualify for the next Olympics.

"All of the countries that are going to participate are going to fight for those spots and we are ready to compete at our best level."

FIBA