I still remember the excitement building up during that summer of 2019 when Canada Basketball was finalizing its roster for the FIBA World Cup. Having followed international basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say this was one of the most talented Canadian squads we've ever assembled, though the final selection process proved more challenging than anyone anticipated. The situation reminded me somewhat of what Chery Tiggo experienced in their preseason—sometimes even talented teams have to take the difficult path rather than securing an easy qualification.
When Basketball Canada announced the final 12-man roster on August 21, 2019, it represented both a triumph and a disappointment—a triumph because we finally had NBA-level talent committing to the national program, but a disappointment because several key players had withdrawn earlier in the process. Let me walk you through that final squad, which featured some genuinely exciting talent. Leading the charge was Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who was coming off a breakout season where he averaged 18.2 points per game. Alongside him were established NBA players like Khem Birch from the Orlando Magic, who brought much-needed interior defense, and Cory Joseph, whose veteran presence at point guard stabilized our backcourt. What impressed me most was the blend of experience and youth—from seasoned international campaigners like Melvin Ejim to emerging talents like Brandon Clarke, who'd just been drafted 21st overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
The frontcourt particularly stood out to me with its versatility. We had Tristan Thompson, then with the Cleveland Cavaliers, providing rebounding and championship experience—he grabbed approximately 8.4 rebounds per game that NBA season. Alongside him, Oshae Brissett brought energy and athleticism that would prove crucial during the tournament. What many casual observers might not realize is how difficult it is to mesh individual talents into a cohesive international unit—the shorter preparation time compared to NBA teams means players need to adapt quickly to different roles and systems.
The backcourt depth was equally impressive, featuring Phil Scrubb, who'd been excellent in European basketball, and Kevin Pangos, whose court vision and shooting created opportunities for everyone. I've always believed that international experience matters tremendously in FIBA competitions, and having players like Pangos who understood European basketball concepts gave Canada a strategic advantage against certain opponents. The selection committee, led by then-General Manager Rowan Barrett, faced numerous challenges in finalizing this group—not just evaluating talent, but considering chemistry, positional balance, and which players would best execute Coach Nick Nurse's system.
Looking back, what struck me was how this roster construction reflected Canada's basketball evolution. We've moved from relying primarily on college stars to having legitimate NBA talent across multiple positions. The 2019 team featured seven NBA players—a significant increase from previous tournaments. However, the absences were notable too. Players like Andrew Wiggins and RJ Barrett ultimately didn't participate, which I believe cost us some offensive firepower in close games. This reminded me of how Chery Tiggo had to navigate challenges despite having talented components—sometimes external factors prevent ideal roster construction.
The preparation period revealed both strengths and vulnerabilities. During exhibition games, our half-court offense occasionally stagnated, but the transition game looked explosive—particularly when Murray and Joseph pushed the tempo. Defensively, the length and versatility of players like Dillon Brooks provided multiple switching options, though I felt we lacked a true rim protector against elite interior scorers. The final cuts were undoubtedly difficult—leaving off players like Andrew Nembhard, who has since developed into a solid NBA contributor, shows the depth Canada was beginning to develop.
What made this roster special in my view was its character—these weren't just talented individuals but players genuinely committed to representing Canada. The practices I observed showed incredible competitive energy, with veterans setting the tone and younger players pushing established stars. This created an environment where everyone had to elevate their game. The chemistry seemed genuine too—players who'd competed against each other in NCAA and NBA contexts quickly developed camaraderie that translated to unselfish play on the court.
The 2019 roster ultimately fell short of medal contention, but it represented a crucial step in Canada's basketball journey. The experience gained by players like Clarke and Murray in international competition has undoubtedly helped their NBA development. What excites me looking back is how this group paved the way for future Canadian teams—proving we could attract top talent and compete internationally. The foundation built in 2019, despite the challenges and absent stars, demonstrated that Canadian basketball had arrived on the global stage in a meaningful way. Sometimes, as with Chery Tiggo's journey, the difficult path teaches you more than easy qualification ever could, and I believe that 2019 team's experiences—both the successes and shortcomings—have strengthened Canada's basketball program for the challenges ahead.