The four remaining spots will be awarded at FIBA’s central board meeting Nov. 23-24 in Buenos Aires, and while there are plenty of viable candidates, the wild-card entries come with an expensive price tag: Each wild card must pay €500,000 ($674600) — no small fee, especially for national teams without a huge budget.
Sneaker companies want Andrew Wiggins in Spain 2014. So does FIBA. Fingers crossed
China is almost a guarantee. With nearly just as many people playing basketball in China as there are people in the USA, it makes sense for FIBA to bring China to Spain, and China is willing to pay the fee.
Canada is an option, too. As the country develops its young talent (Tristan Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Andrew Nicholson, Anthony Bennett, Kelly Olynyk among others) and becomes more competitive on the international scene, playing in the World Cup is important for Canada’s future. However, €500,000 – approximately $675,000 gives Canada reason to consider the value of that investment.
Brazil didn’t finish in the top four at FIBA Americas Championship and missed out on one of the automatic bids. As host of the 2016 Olympics, Brazil needs the experience if its wants to make a run at a medal on its home court in three years. The exposure is important, too.
There is no shortage of options in Europe, from Russia, which entered Eurobasket in turmoil (its coach quit a month before event began) and didn’t have its best players, to Greece to Turkey to Italy. Russia seems the most likely of those countries to pay big dollars for inclusion, and it won silver in London last summer.
Oddly, Nigeria, which finished a disappointing seventh at Afrobasket, is interested in playing in the World Cup. However, can it come up with the money, and does FIBA want a team which finished so low in Africa, playing in the World Cup? Nigeria played in the 2012 London Olympics and finished 10th with just one victory.
Either way, the USA, which won the 2010 world championship and gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, will enter as the favorite. The USA will learn its opponents for group play at the World Cup draw Feb. 8 in Barcelona.
FIBA World Cup 2014 held in Spain willl be August 30 – September 14.
Already in:
Americas (5): USA (defending Olympic gold medalist), Mexico (2013 FIBA Americas champion), Puerto Rico, Argentina, Dominican Republic.
Europe (7): Spain (host country), France (2013 Eurobasket champion), Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Serbia.
Oceania (2): Australia (2013 FIBA Oceania champion), New Zealand.
Asia (3): Iran (2013 FIBA Asian champion), Philippines, South Korea.
Africa (3): Angola (2013 FIBA Africa champion), Egypt, Senegal.
According to annonymous sources close to the situation a recent sitdown between Bears Associate head coachTravis Decuire and Egi’s parents in Toronto has apparently done the trick. Egi and his support staff now intend to visit Cal.
Last week Egi told California media that it was Berkeley’s renowned undergraduate business school, coupled with his growing relationship with Rorie and Decuire, that was winning Cal major points.
Egi will reportedly visit California October 11-13 with trips to Harvard scheduled September 28th, Vanderbilt on October 3rd and Stanford and Washington October 17 th and 19th respectively.
Toronto, Ont. – Canada Basketball is pleased to announce the athletes who will represent Canada as the Senior Women’s National Team (SWNT) this summer at the FIBA Americas Championship for Women in Mexico. Team Canada heads in to this competition after a successful summer of preparation, most recently winning the Super Four International Tournament in Sao Carlos, Brazil going 3-0 beating Argentina, Puerto Rico and Brazil.
Head Coach Lisa Thomaidis made the following comments on the selection and the upcoming tournament: “After an amazing summer of training and competition, we’ve selected the 12 athletes that will represent Canada at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico. Both our mix of experience and youth will be called upon to contribute in Xalapa. The FIBA Americas tournament is highly competitive and we are mindful of the varying styles in opponents that we will face. We are encouraged with the signs of improvement we’ve seen in both our team and individual performance indicators over the course of the summer, and feel very prepared for the upcoming tournament. We are excited to get going!”
The competition, taking place in Xalapa, Mexico, will feature the best teams in the Americas, where they face Jamaica, Chile, Venezuela and Cuba in the preliminary round of the tournament. Canada has won bronze in the last four years of the FIBA Americas Championship tournament.
The team looks for success in the Americas tournament where they need to finish in the top three rank in order to qualify for the 2014 FIBA World Championship.
2013 Senior Women’s National Team
No.
Name
Position
Height
Hometown
4
Krista Phillips
Centre
6-5
Saskatoon, Sask.
5
Kia Nurse
Guard
6-0
Hamilton, Ont.
6
Shona Thorburn
Guard
5-10
Hamilton, Ont.
7
Courtnay Pilypaitis
Guard
6-1
Orleans, Ont.
8
Kim Gaucher
Guard
6-1
Mission, B.C.
9
Miranda Ayim
Forward
6-2.5
London, Ont.
10
Justine Colley
Guard
5-9
East Preston, N.S.
11
Natalie Achonwa
Forward
6-2.5
Guelph, Ont.
12
Lizanne Murphy
Guard
6-1
Beaconsfield, Que.
13
Tamara Tatham
Forward
6-1
Brampton, Ont.
14
Kendel Ross
Guard
6-0
Sarnia, Ont.
15
Kalisha Keane
Forward
6-0
Ajax, Ont.
2013 FIBA Americas Championship for Women – Preliminary Round Schedule
FIBA criteria for wild card at last World Cup held in Turkey in 2010
Finances aside Canada more then merit a spot in the 2014 World Cup in Spain via a wild card system FIBA have implemented.
Right is a look at the Wild Card critera for the last World Championship in Turkey 2010.
With the Canadian current crop of young talent making noise in the NBA in addition to a “once in a decad”e talent such as Andrew Wiggins on the horizon ,it only means Spain 2014 is still up in the air for a country who is craving the opportunity to showcase its young up and coming talent.
Caracas, Venezuela - Julio Lamas team raised his level at the second half, defeated Canada, 73-67 and got his ticket to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. The key player of the match for Argentina was Luis Scola, who scored 28 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Canada vs. Argentina – Andrew Nicholson fades away for the jumper — in Caracas, Distrito Federal, Venezuela.
In the second Canada continued to control the game, especially in the first minutes, they moved the ball well and added to the contributions from Kendall and Cadougan on the paint (22-13). But Argentina ran the floor well with Safar and Campazzo, and subtracted the Canadian lead to 5 points (22-17). At the end of the quarter, a double by Andrew Nicholson left the Canadian advantage at 4 points, 36-32.
Argentina kept the mistakes on defense in the opening minutes of the third, fouls cam quickly and Canada took the opportunity to continue adding to the points in its favor. With a good job in the post of Scola and fast attacks by Campazzo, Argentina was down by three points, 45-41, but Canada exploded the midway shots with Joseph (5) and expanded the lead to 7 points, 50-43. However, Argentina responded with Scola, who made seven points in a row and put the team on his shoulders, with a 10-0 run, Argentina fell in front, 61-56.
Canada vs. Argentina – Coaches talking strategy for Team Canada — in Caracas, Distrito Federal, Venezuela.
The last 10 minutes were very exciting; Argentina became much more active and complicated the Canadians actions. Argentina with good defenses built a fast game and brought out their hierarchy. Canada didn’t respond, Argentina took the win, the pass to the Semi-Finals and a ticket to the 2014 FIBA World Championship in Spain.
Canada vs. Argentina – Tristan Thompson going hard to the hoop defended by Luis Scola — in Caracas, Distrito Federal, Venezuela.
For Argentina the best scorer was Luis Scola, who scored 28 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. On the Canadian side, Cory Joseph had 19 points and 4 assists.
CARACAS, VENEZUELA- Team Canada head coach Jay Triano when asked what to expect from the unknown Argentinian squad missing the likes of Manu Ginobili, Carlos Delfino and so on he identified the head of the snake Luis Scola. Except he has a side kick.
“They have Luis Scola who is veteran guy who has come back to kinda teach them what this game is about, how to represent your country and so on” adding that tacticaly he is the focal point for Argentina’s offense “They kind of run everything through him. They’ll throw him the ball in the post, he has a three point shot now, I think they also have the best point guards in the tournament or one of the best, he’s evolved as a great player, he does alot of great things [Facundo] Campazzo“
Coach Triano on Facundo Campazzo: I think they also have the best point guards in the tournament or one of the best
Facundo Campazzo enters Sunday averaging 11.4 points, 5.9 assists and is shooting 56 percent from the field. 22 year old plays professionally for Peñarol Mar del Plata in his nativeland of Argentina. Coach Triano very aware of Capazzo’s winning pedigree, “He’s won 3 championships in Argentina and I think people are just starting to find about him, he’s as tough a point gaurd as we’ve played and he’s going to be a handful tommorow” Coach Triano concluded.Facundo Campazzo on his Pistol Pete:
Pacers forward Luis Scola, 33, is the lone NBA player from Argentina competing in Caracas.
This team is basically Luis Scola plus Argentina’s B-Team. But don’t sleep on Argentina just because most of the big names are missing. The core of this team (without Scola) went undefeated at last summer’s South America tourney, where it beat a Venezuelan team (with Greivis Vasquez) twice. Argentina was also in a similar situation in 2009 when it was basically Scola plus the B-Team, and managed to finish third.I’m not really sure why Scola is playing, since the 2011 Americas champs are under little pressure to qualify. If they fail to qualify this summer, a wild-card selection would be a mere formality. I imagine the Indiana Pacers are wondering why Scola is suiting up, too, especially since he hasn’t sat out a summer for Argentina since 2005. Nevertheless, Scola is still a major force in national team play and the best player in the field, despite the fact his game has been slowly declining in the NBA. Argentina will likely ride Scola hard, looking for him to carry the offensive load and playing him 30-plus minutes a game. Scola is looking for his fourth straight Americas MVP trophy. Marcos Delia, a 2012 Nike Hoop Summit alumni, gives Argentina a much-needed dose of length. The 6-10 Delia is a mobile rebounder who can score inside with both hands. ACB veteran forward Leo Mainoldi gives Argentina a dangerous stretch-4.
Marcos Delia of Argentina (L) blocks a shot by Renaldo Balkman of Puerto Rico during their men’s preliminary round basketball game at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara October 27, 2011.
With no Pablo Prigioni to run the point, Argentina will put the ball in the hands of youngsters Facundo Campazzo and former Temple Owl Juan Fernandez. The diminutive Campazzo gave Argentina quality minutes at the Olympics (when Prigioni was battling kidney stones) and uses ball screens well to hit jumpers or to get into the lane. The 6-4 Fernandez is a nifty passer and capable shooter who can play both guard spots.
This team might not have the talent of a typical Argentina team but it is still a cohesive unit. Many of these guys have played together before and understand the Argentina system of spacing, quick ball movement and finding open spots in the defense.
Anderson photographed at the 2011 All Canada Classic
Braeden Anderson, forward for the Fresno State basketball team, was in a serious car accident this week, sustaining injuries that put his season in jeopardy, according to a report from ESPN.com. Hoops Hype Canada (HHC) wishes Braeden the speediest of recoveries. Anderson was ready to go after playing in just ten games due to academic issues that delayed the start of his college career. Braeden was expected to be a major piece of the team for this season, especially with the departure of talented and highly touted big man Robert Upshaw, who was dismissed from the team for multiple violations of athletic department policy.
Anderson was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a walk-on to the Fresno State team when the driver swerved to avoid an oncoming accident, colliding with another car. The driver was unharmed, but Anderson suffered neck injuries. The good news? He has movement in all of his extremities and is expected to make a full recovery. The bad news? The accident happened on Tuesday night, and Anderson has yet to be released from the hospital.
Anderson is a 6-foot-9 forward from Alberta that was originally signed to Kansas but was ruled a non-qualifier coming out of high school. He sat out a season and averaged 4.1 points and 3.5 boards in 10 games last season.
2012-13 (FRESHMAN): Played in 10 games, including seven starts … on the season, he averaged 4.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3 assists … logged an average of 17.5 minutes in his 10 games played … drained 12 of 36 (33.3 percent) field goal attempts and went 17-for-24 (70.8 percent) at the free throw line. … also recorded two steals and one block … scored a season-best 12 points with six rebounds on the road at San Diego State on Feb. 9.
Gustavo Ayon is the head of the Mexican snake, the Atlanta Hawk property has led Mexico’s national team at the 2013 FIBA Americas tournament where they have gone 3-1 in preliminary play and have earned a spot in the second round starting with a Thursday match versus Canada.
Mexico center Gustavo Ayon will play for his fourth NBA team in three years in 2013-14.
Mexico’s strong play has been one of the big surprises of the tournament. Ayon has never been able to help the national team at the World Cup or in the Olympics, but given its play thus far, that may change soon. Gustavo has dominated both ends. Scoring 22 points, grabbing 18 rebounds and blocking four shots in a victory versus the hosts Venezuela. He sits in third for tournament scoring with 17.8 points, first in rebounding with 9.5 per game and also first in blocked shots.
“The key to this good start has been the respect we have given the opponent and above all the seriousness that we had in defense” said the former Marine Ayon. “The basis of any success is to respect the partner, to be always united. Keep working. We can not think as players individually. It has been shown in the past that it does not work and you have to do it all in the collective” Ayon told Gonzalo Aguirregomezcorta of ESPN Deportes. ”We must be very serious every day, that will give the team success. Must be very serious and think that we have not accomplished anything. Won three games that were important, but that’s in the past”. Ayon relfected.
LATINO LEAGUERS
Ayon, the third player from the land of Mexico to debut in the best league in the world, calls passing through the NBA as a big leap in his career.“I have greatly improved my physique and above all have come to understand more of the game aspects as essential in a competitive league ,” said the former player from New Orleans who was picked up in July off waivers by Atlanta. The Latino community in the worlds best league is scarce , so between them, among the natives of the countries from South America , the Caribbean and parts of North America in the NBA, they share a remarkable solidarity.“When I came to the Hornets Greivis Vasquez reached out to me , He is an excellent person , who had an incredible season and his friendship has been one of the things I most value since I have reached the NBA.”
SCOUTING REPORT
Ayon’s numbers last season in the NBA weren’t all that impressive. However, his lack of production was largely due to lack of opportunity as he played only 13.3 minutes per game. Towards the end of July, the Milwaukee Bucks waived the 28-year-old Ayon. Just three days after being waived, though, the big man from Mexico inked a three-year, $4.5 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, where he should figure into their rotation. Ayon was one of three big men that the Hawks signed this summer to help fill out their frontcourt as reserves, joining Elton Brand and Pero Antic. With two years in the NBA under his belts and the ability to play at either the four or the five, Ayon should find himself on the floor a good bit this season.
When HHC asked Rey Aquino a senior International basketball writer for Hoops Hype Canada (HHC) what’s been the difference for Ayon and also for his Team Mexico scouting report. He offered,
“Ayon won’t be called upon too often playing behind a potential star in Al Horford & Paul Milsap in Atlanta but when he does, he could definitely surprise some people like he has in Venezuela” Aquino told HHC staff.
“Gustavo has been great on both ends of the floor…very clinical player when in the pick-and-roll as a screener, solid defender with good instincts. He handled Luis Scola well, looking forward to monitoring his match up with Andrew Nicholson. Another name is Hernandez Gallego. Lets just say he is the Mexican Levon Kendall” Aquino added.
As for the perimeter?
Left to Right: Hernandez, Mata and Mendez. Gustavo Ayon`s supporting cast
“Cory Joseph should have no issues controlling starting point man Paul Stoll. Except Orlando Mendez, his sharp shooting well require the same treatment Canada gave Huertas from Brazil.” Aquino added.
There you have it, a in depth look at the Mexican National team. Let Phase 2 of the 2013 Fiba America World Cup Qualifiers begin! Tip off versus Mexico is set to take place Thursday at 1:30 eastern time.
Miami Heat backup big Joel Anthony averaged just five minutes for the Heat in their latest championship run. Anthony while on National team duties in Caracas talked with press about the upcoming golden age of Canada basketball, but also mentioned that he’s hoping to retire with the Heat.
“Getting that second ring was a great achievement and the season was great and successful.” Joel Anthony on last season with Miami.
“Of course I want to retire with Miami,” the center pointed out after opening the FIBA Americas 2013 Championship with a win over Jamaica. ”It’s the team that gave me the opportunity, the team that I’ve played my six years on in the NBA and there’s no reason for me to leave.”
Anthony has a player option for $3.8 million next season that he’ll likely pick up, but the ESPN has recently noted that Miami would likely like to move him if they could. That’d make sense, too, considering Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Chris Andersen, Udonis Haslem and Greg Oden are all in the mix at the five-spot as well.
Joel Anthony is playing a role he’s used to at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship. The small role he has become so accustomed to with the Heat has become his current role with Canada, as he has played in 41 minutes of the Canadians’ three games thus far, averaging 2.7 points and three rebounds a game. These are pretty standard numbers for Anthony, as he averaged 9.1 minutes, 1.4 points and 1.9 rebounds last season with Miami.
Being the second oldest player on the team at 31-years-old, Anthony spends a lot of time on the bench, but it seems as though he’s come to accept his role on the team of young stars.
“It’s not an issue of whether you’re going to play or get minutes, the most important thing is that we went out to win a championship,” said Anthony.
Anthony feels confident about Canada’s chances of making the 2014 FIBA World Championships, especially with the return of up-and coming stars like first-round NBA draft picks Anthony Bennett and Kelly Olynyk, who could not compete in the tournament due to injury.
“I think that in the short term we can compete to be one of the best teams,” Anthony said. ”At first, our goal is to qualify in this tournament and by next year we’ll have more guys and we’ll see how we acclimate ourselves. We’ll certainly have a strong team capable of playing with any of the other teams in the world.”
The 31-year-old big has posted averages of 2.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 370 career NBA games, starting 110 of those contests.
Surrounding the Chris Egi sweepstakes, speculation started to surface since this realGM article. Peter Chalach qouted the class of 2015 6’9 F/C Chris Egi as saying “If I could pick any school in the world, it would probably be Duke. That would be a dream come true.” Who wouldnt want to play for head coach Mike Krzyzewski? A hall of fame head coach at Duke and of several USA men’s national teams.
16 year old Chris Egi member of U19 Team Canada.
On Tuesday afternoon a source close to Egi’s camp told Hoops Hype Canada (HHC) that Coach K would be paying a visit to Montverde Academy down in Florida. “Duke is visiting him as in Coach K” the source summarized. An American College Basketball Insider, who asked to be kept annonymous when reached by email replied “Coach K is actually going to Montverde to see Ben Simmons. That’s the priority – from what I have been told.” According to NCAA rules, this is the month where coaches can make at home visits to players, “Coaches are allowed out starting the 9th of the month.” Insiderverified via email.
Canadian Hoops Analyst Mark Bairos when reached by telephone told Hoops Hype Canada (HHC) “Egi’s not visiting Duke, Coach K is visiting Egi.” When Bairos was notified that multiple sources south of the border reported Ben Simmons was the reason for Coach K’s visit he reiterated “I was told he was visiting just to see Chris. Duke needs post depth beyond the 2014-2015 season”.
Hoops Hype Canada late Tuesday afternoon spoke with Montverde Academy Assistant Coach Rae Miller via telephone. Miller is one of the countless people on campus who assist families and student athletes with positive mentorship, discipline, and guidance as they pursue their individual dreams during tenures at Montverde.
Montverde Assisstant Head Coach Rae Miller
Coach Miller offered “I wouldnt go to the extent that Coach K is visiting just for Chris, we’ve had players like Kyrie Irving, if you asked me if he is visiting to watch our team practice, which nothing has been set yet, that is probably true…we have pretty much a roster full of all extremely gifted and exciting players who will generate strong interest.”
Montverde Academy head coach Kevin Boyle this summer re-stocked the roster with top caliber transfers like Ahmaad Rorie (California verbal commitment), our Canadian import Chris Egi and Makinde London. They join star holdovers D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State) and Ben Simmons to give the program a nucleus capable of contending for another national title.
Highly regarded high school basketball coach Kevin Boyle was lured to Montverde from St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, N.J. Here he strategizes with his players during a game in Montverde’s invitational tournament in late January of 2012.
Coached by Kevin Boyle, Montverde are the reigning ESPN NHSI champion. Coach Boyle has coached a number of great NBA players including #1 pick Kyrie Irving and #2 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Boyle was recently quoted saying that Simmons was the best player in the world at 18 and under. When asked how hard is it to stay focused and live up to the hype, Simmons told Tyler Mounce “I think that Coach Boyle was being very generous with his comments – there are lots of good players in the US. I just want to be the best I can be, get really strong and work hard on my game. I’m a pretty relaxed person and I just want to be able to stay that way and always be ready and focused when I play. That’s all I can really do.”
Ben Simmons the Montverde junior received lots of global attention for his basketball abilities over the last few years, so much so that some thought he was a NBA prospect for last June’s draft. There is little doubt that “Big Ben,” a native of Melbourne, Australia, deserves his top ranked international high school status. Even before applying to MVA in his sophomore year, Ben was considered by several national media outlets as one of the preeminent college prospects from the class of 2015. The lefty shooter has an excellent ceiling that shines off of his athleticism, combined with his shooting touch, makes him one of the top prospects in the world. Simmons is a likely one and done, lottery pick.
As for Canadian Chris Egi at only 16 years of age he’s still at an early stage of his development. Egi enjoyed break out performances this summer at the FIBA U19 Championships playing against competition 2 years older then him, then followed it up with a great showing at the Nike Global Games in D.C. A summer that saw Egi cement his stock as a high major talent. “always the hardest working guy in the gym every time I see him… working his tail off, always around the ball and those traits make him a excellent rebounder.” Bairos added about the 6’9 Canadian’s playing style.
“Moving from Toronto to Montverde Academy in Florida offers Chris the highest level of competition every day in practice compared to what he was seeing in Toronto. Tossing it up with talented teammates and playing as competitive of a schedule you’ll find is fantastic for him and his family” Bairos expressed. With the hiring of a top prep hoops coach in Kevin Boyle and the construction of a $6.5 million athletic facility, tiny Montverde Academy on the outskirts of Orlando is an elite basketball program that practically ensures kids like Simmons & Egi a college scholarship, and perhaps even a pro career. Montverde is a quality academic program with quality athletic programs, get your popcorn ready, the Chris Egi sweepstakes have just begun!!!
FREE THROWS
Reports out of Durham, North Carolina speculated that Duke had been cut from Chris Egi’s list. When Coach Miller was asked to verify or confirm if the Canadian big men had allready begun trimming schools from his list, Coach Miller let it be known “All schools are on the list at this point” Despite Egi’s list headlined by main stray top 20 programs such as Duke & Florida when Egi was reached on campus by Canadian press regarding scheduled official visits, Egi released dates as followed.
Harvard September 26-29 Vanderbilt October 3-6 Stanford October 17-19 Washington October 19-21
Following last weeks 19 points vs. Canada at the 2013 Tuto Marchand Cup and fresh off 16 points in Brazil’s opener, Sunday versus Canada though, Brazilian point guard Marcelo Huertas ran into a brick wall.
Jay Triano & coaching staff.
He only shot 1-for-5 and was held to just 3 points. Thanks in large part to a task by committee on the court, and a fantastic scouting report off of it.
“He’s a special quality point guard and we had to give him different looks.” Coach Triano told Canadian press via post game conference call.
Andy Rautins was first assigned of marking Huertas “We had hoped his (Rautins) length would bother him, Unfortunately Andy picked up two quick fouls” Triano reflected.
“He had his dose of Shepherd guarding him for a while, Rock guarded him and Cory when we had to” Triano elaborated on the Huertas coverage by committee. Coaches tactics prevented starting point guard Cory Joseph from wearing out getting hit by dozens of screens.
Marcelo Huertas a 30 year old point guard and Barcelona FC product has a reputation of putting teams on his back & making huge plays down the stretch with his pick & roll preference both domestically and abroad playing for his country.
Huertas standing 6’3 is a small and skinny point guard, with solid quickness, excellent ball-handling skills and a ability to change speeds on the fly and get to the basket at a very nice rate.
Sunday however he only made one field goal in 21 minutes of action.
Another key component in making Huertas irrelevant Sunday were the big man contributions said the Canadian bench boss,
“I thought are bigs did a excellent job of being up, being solid in support when there was a screen and roll… Kind of took him out of what he does best and that is distribute the ball”
Team Canada! United We Stand, Divided we fall.
Scouting Reports
Coach Triano noted keeping Huertas going to his left was pivotal and how it played a part of the Brazil match scouting report.
Ian Hyde-Lay (Left) Joe Raso (Right)
When Sportsnet columnist Michael Grange asked Coach Triano who he can attribute to the scouting reports Triano mentioned Ian Hyde-Lay for taking trips overseas scouting out Uruguay and Mexico. Meanwhile Joe Raso has been bouncing around Caracas scouting out current competition. Raso reportedly scouts four games daily, making sure staff don’t miss a thing on anybody.
Coach Triano responded “Those two guys have been very good providing our assistant coaches the info they need, we want to give our players the best chance they can to qualify.”
“For me now it’s more of a teaching role,” Jermaine Anderson nicknamed the Rock told Canadian press during Team Canada’s training camp.
Anderson has been a member of Canada’s senior men’s basketball team since 2004, and has played in over 75 international games with the team.
“I still have to maintain a level of playing and work ethic, but I also have to speak a lot more and just help guys because there are a lot of guys on this team that don’t have much international experience and that’s where myself has to come in to help those guys.”
On Saturday vs. Brazil, Jermaine Anderson not only offered vocal leadership, he played 28 large minutes scoring 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting. He also chased Brazil’s best player Marcelo Huertas through screens for long periods of time.
Last season the Canadian guard played for Phantoms Braunschweig in the German top flight. Jermaine played 20 games and picked up averages of 9.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. The 30-year old is a hugely experienced operator in European Basketball and has played in Croatia, Montenegro, Russia, and Greece since graduating in 2006 from Fordham University. As for future prospects Anderson is reportedly moving within German basketball circles to TBB Trier.
Coach Triano after Canada’s 91-62 mauling of Brazil spoke on how Anderson stepped up when the program needed it,
“I will take 28 minutes from Jermaine Anderson the way he played today anytime.” Triano added “Jermaine’s a veteran guy that’s been here before …one of our older players, he’s seen it all”
Anderson played 28 minutes after only playing a combined 12 in the first two contests.
“3 games in 3 days. This is the time you hope your vets step up, I thought he was outstanding today” Triano said about the extended role Anderson played. “We knew we had to play him …to take pressure off of Cory having to run the team. Thought Jermaine was fantastic on every aspect. Defended well, shot the ball well, thought he ran our offense extremely well as well.”
Such a veteran savvy performance from Anderson looking to solidify backup point guard duties entering next game vs Uruguay. Moving forward more performances like Andersons versus Brazil and Jermaine will have more than merited it.
Sunday morning the Brazilian national team was humiliated by Canada, 91-62, accumulating their second defeat in the 2013 FIBA Americas.
Canada’s search for a place in the 2014 World Championship took a positive stride in the right direction. Led by San Antonio Spur Cory Joseph who put together a mammoth game. Perhaps the game of the summer for Canada, 28 pts (10/15 FG) 9 rbs, 4ast, 3stl. Most impressive was ZERO turnovers.
Man of match: Cory Joseph.
During the post game press conference Cory took the podium and weighed in on the impressive bounce back game for Team Canada, ”Yesterday we had many defensive lapses to Puerto Rico in 4th and today we were focused throughout the game. It was the key.” the Canadian point guard said.
It was the first time Canada defeated Brazil since August 26, 2003 a 101-97 victory in a FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifier. Steve Nash led w/ 24pts and was named tourney MVP.
When Coach Triano took the podium he reiterated his stance from Saturday, “One game at a time”.
Victory Sunday gave Canada a 2-1 record in the competition. The 29-point margin is Canada’s largest against Brazil with the previous mark of 20 having been set in 1999.
Team Canada’s balanced offensive output saw three additional players score in double-figures. Jermaine Anderson of Toronto, Ont. contributed 14 points and three assists off the bench. Mississauga, Ont. product Andrew Nicholson added 13, while Syracuse, N.Y. native Andrew Rautins tallied 12 on an efficient 4-for-5 performance from the floor.
Following a stretch of three-games-in-three-days, Team Canada will have a practice day on Monday. The Canadians next play on Tuesday against Uruguay at 2:00 p.m. (ET). Team Uruguay opened the competition with a hard-fought last-minute 68-66 victory over Jamaica.
After defeating Jamaica in the opening game of the 2013 FIBA Americas tournament on Friday, the Canadian National team returned to the court in Caracas, Venezuela Saturday against the heavy guard rotation of Puerto Rico.
Tristan Thompsons 20 points & 9 rebounds just not enough vs PR
After three quarters of play in which Canada was only trailing Puerto Rico by 1-point (59-58) heading into the fourth quarter, it was a dominant defensive 24-9 point fourth quarter by the Puerto Ricans that led them to an 83-67 victory over Canada.
San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph, who was the star in Friday’s victory, had an inconsistent game Saturday as he couldn’t find a decent rhythm going 2-of-7 shooting from the field for 4 points, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, but Joseph did grab 6 rebounds in the loss.
Unlike Jamaica’s guards, Joseph had to defend some established guards in former NBA player Carlos Arroyo who was Puerto Rico’s leading scorer with 20 points. Minnesota Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea also scored 11 points in the match.
For the Canadians, Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson scored 20 points and 9 rebounds. Andrew Nicholson also poured in 21 points for Canada.
Coach Triano depite a dismal 4th quarter remains optimistic,
“Don’t think we played particularly well in those 3 qtrs but competed w/one of most experienced teams in tourney, if not most experienced” Triano noted also adding, “In tournaments like this you have 8 games in 10 days we have to forget one & move on to the next one right away”
Canada is now 1-1 in Phase 1 of the FIBA Americas tournament which puts them with 3 points (second) in Group A. The goal after Phase 1 is for Canada to finish in the top 4-of-5 positions to advance to Phase 2. Joseph will face a tough challenge on Sunday as Canada will take on Marcelo Huertas and Brazil.
