It was much more than just a noon hour pick-up game behind the black curtains at the Richmond Olympic Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
The national men’s basketball team opened a two-day training camp in preparation for this weekend’s Pacific Rim Classic against China and next week’s FIBA World Cup 2019 Americans Qualifiers.
Canada will face China on Friday night at Rogers Arena on also Sunday in Victoria. It’s then back east for more preparation (June 26-27) before taking on Dominican Republic June 29 in a first place qualifying showdown in Toronto. Canada will also play the U.S. Virgin Islands July 2 in Ottawa.
Overseeing the closed sessions at the Oval is head coach Jay Triano (Charlotte Hornets, along with assistants Roy Rana (Ryerson University), Nathaniel Mitchell (Raptors 905), Dave Smart (Carleton University) and Scott Morrison (Boston Celtics).
Among the players participating Wednesday were four currently with NBA teams — led by veteran Kelly Olynyk of the Miami Heat who hosted a camp at the Oval two years ago.
He was joined by Dillon Brooks (Memphis Grizzlies), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks) and Chris Boucher (Golden State Warriors). Cory Joseph (Indiana Pacers) and Khem Birch (Orlando Magic) are not in Vancouver but are expected to be with the national team next week.
Brooks starred at the University of Oregon and averaged 11 points per game in his NBA rookie season.
The 17-player roster also features former NBA No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett who played in the G-League with the Maine Red Claws this past season, along with a pair of high school age stars making their senior national team debuts — Duke University bound RJ Barrett and Andrew Nembhard who is headed to the University of Florida. Both helped Monteverde Academy of Florida win the U.S. national championship this past season.
There is even some Richmond flavour with Phil and Tommy Scrubb who are playing in Germany and Italy respectively after decorated university careers at Carleton.
Barrett’s father — former national team standout Rowan Barrett — is now an assistant GM and vice-present of the senior men’s program.
At a press conference Wednesday, he noted there are just 24 off-season days of availability for NBA players with their respective national teams under the current agreement between the league and FIBA. That also includes two more World Cup qualifying games Canada will be playing in September.
Canada is attempting to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
