(Twitter/canbball)
There’s no Andrew Wiggins. There’s no Tristan Thompson. There’s Nik Stauskas. But the Canadian Men’s Basketball Team at the 2015 Pan American Games still features a bevy of impressive talent.
Although the Canadians haven’t medaled since this competition began in 1951, there’s a good chance this team, led by head coach Jay Triano, ends that drought in front of the home fans in Toronto. Here’s a look at the full roster of players who will be hoping to follow in the ladies’ footsteps:
2015 Canada Pan American Men’s Basketball Team Roster
Canada here’s your @TO2015 Men’s team! They tip off in an hour! http://t.co/XpvPAzT5lG
Anthony Bennett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Sim Bhullar, Free Agent (Formerly Sacramento Kings)
Junior Cadougan, Sidigas Avellino (Italy)
Aaron Doornekamp, Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany)
Melvin Ejim, Medi Bayreuth (Germany)
Carl English, AEK Athens (Greece)
Brady Heslip, Free Agent (Formerly KK Igokea)
Daniel Mullings, Medi Bayreuth (Germany)
Jamal Murray, University of Kentucky
Andrew Nicholson, Orlando Magic
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga University
Dillon Brooks, University of Oregon
Head coach Jay Triano, Portland Trail Blazers
Team Canada Preview & Breakdown
Jamal Murray drives to the hoop during the U-17 World Championships in 2014. (Getty)
All eyes are going to be on Anthony Bennett. The former No. 1 overall pick was dreadful as a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he was inconsistent in his second year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he’ll still play a starring role in Toronto.
“We’re not looking at him as a NBA player,” said Triano. “He’s part of Team Canada right now. He’s done a good job of fitting in and understanding what we expect of him, and what his role is. I think this could be a very, very good tournament for him.”
Bennett responded to those words of confidence with a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) in Canada’s 105-88 win against the Dominican Republic in the opener.
Canada’s frontcourt is decidedly unique. Of the players who are 6’8″ and over, three (Bennett, the Magic’s Andrew Nicholson and Gonzaga’s Kyle Wiltjer) are more effective away from the basket and facing up, while the fourth (Sim Bhullar) is a load at 7’5″ but very immobile. If the opening game was any indication, though, Triano will have no problem sitting Wiltjer and Bhullar in favor of guys like veteran Aaron Doornekamp and Melvin Ejim in smaller lineups.
In the backcourt, Jamal Murray is one to watch. Ranked as the top shooting guard in the class of 2015, the Toronto native committed to Kentucky, and much like many of John Calipari’s other recruits, he is a good bet to be a first-round pick in the NBA draft. He’s only 18, but that didn’t stop Triano from playing him over 21 minutes against the DR.
Jamal Murray, the MVP of the @nikehoopsummit, is mature beyond his years–he’s 18 but plays like he’s 28. @UKCoachCalipari has a gem.
Murray, a versatile guard who can handle the ball, shoot and play multiple positions, freed up a lot of open space for sharpshooter Brady Heslip, who buried five three-pointers and poured in a team-high 24 on Tuesday.
Put it all together, and there are a lot of different lineup choices for Triano. No matter what he does, though, he has the talent at his disposal to put an end to Canada’s medal drought at the Pan Am Games.
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Who Is on the Canada Pan Am Men’s Basketball Team 2015?