Phil Scrubb is looking right at home in Canada’s star-studded line-up at the FIBA Americas Championship Olympic qualifying men’s basketball tournament in Mexico City.
The 22-year-old point guard from Richmond was one of just two CIS players selected to the 12-member Canadian roster that features plenty of young NBA talent including No. 1 overall picks Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett.
Backing up recent Toronto Raptor free agent signing Cory Joseph, the former Carleton University star is averaging nine points and two rebounds per game in 17 minutes of playing time as Canada heads into semi-final action on Friday.
Since opening with an 94-87 loss to Argentina, the Canadians have reeled off six straight victories to earn a final four match-up with Venezuela this afternoon.
The top two teams from the 10 country event will automatically qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, while the next best three teams will earn spots in the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Olympic host Brazil and 2014 FIBA World champions United States have already qualified.
Scrubb finished with seven points in Canada’s 93-74 win over previously undefeated Mexico on Tuesday night, in front of a sellout crowd. Canada had tuned up for the tournament with a perfect 4-0 run at the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup in Puerto Rico.
“We’re getting more comfortable playing with each other. Our players are starting to learn and understand the international game a little bit better because we come from varied backgrounds. Our goal was to get better with each game and we struggled in the first game of the tournament but I think we have taken a step every day,” said Head Coach Jay Triano.
Scrubb capped a remarkable career at Carleton last spring by leading the Ravens to their fifth consecutive national championship. This summer, he signed a two-year professional contract with AEK Athens of the Greek Basketball League and will join the club soon after his national team commitments have concluded.
In July, the former Vancouver College standout helped the Memphis Grizzlies capture the NBA Orlando Summer League championship. That came after he and his brother Thomas were invited to the Toronto Raptors free-agent mini camp.
Scrubb averaged 19 points in 24 games with the Ravens last season and was awarded the Jack Donohoe Trophy as the most valuable player at nationals.
Thomas Scrubb, who also played with Phil at Carleton, is playing professionally in Finland.
