If you were trying to track the growth of basketball in Canada, look no further than the recently announced training camp roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2019 qualifiers.
Gone are the days of one ore two NBAers (if we were lucky) deigning to spend time with the national team. The roster now reads like a role call of some notable players across the league (and in the world), from eight different NBA teams, international squads, and the G League.
Headlined by NBA (and FIBA) stalwarts Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson, the squad is also welcoming a pair of Raptors 905ers in Aaron Best and Kaza Kajami-Keane, rising talent Jamal Murray, the stout Kelly Olynyk, and, hey, Anthony Bennett!