Canada’s men’s basketball team has secured its ticket to next summer’s Olympics in Paris.
Canada defeated Spain 88-85 in a match of the FIBA World Championship in Jakarta on Sunday and advanced to the quarterfinals of this tournament against Slovenia on Wednesday.
That win, combined with losses to Brazil, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, secured Canada a FIBA Americas spot at the Olympics.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the star of the show with 36 points, including 14 from 16 at the free-throw line, to help Canada advance to the quarterfinals against Slovenia on Wednesday.
VIEW | Canada secures Olympic spot:
Canada secures Olympic spot with thrilling win over Spain at FIBA World Championship
The Red and Whites achieved a thrilling 88-85 win to advance to the Quarterfinals and a place at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Dillon Brooks played solid defense and scored 24 points for Canada (4-1) while Gilgeous-Alexander added seven assists and four rebounds.
Will Hernangomez led by 25 points ahead of reigning world champions Spain (3-2) and Santiago Aldama added 18.
Canada will have to deal with superstar Luka Doncic in the Quarterfinals as Slovenia (4-1) lost their game against Germany 100-71 on Sunday and finished second in Group K.
The winner of Wednesday’s match will meet the winner of Tuesday’s match Lithuania (5-0) against Serbia (4-1) in the semi-finals on Friday.
On the other hand, Italy (4-1) meets USA (4-1) on Tuesday and Germany (5-0) meets Latvia (4-1) on Wednesday.
The final is scheduled for Sunday.
Comeback-Sieg
Gilgeous-Alexander was down 78-74 with 1:51 to go, drove to the layup and drew a foul. He sunk the free throw for a three-point play, bringing Canada to a point with 1:51 to go.
Hernangomez was fouled at the other end of the field and he shot both free throws to make it 80-77.
Brooks fired a three-pointer to equalize on the next possession, with 1:12 to go.
He then put his feet down and forced Alex Abrines off the field for a Spanish turnover. That put the ball in the hands of Gilgeous-Alexander, who jumped back to give himself a two-point lead with 43.5 seconds left.
VIEW | Ex-coach Triano confident for 2023 Team Canada:
“I’m confident they will do well at the FIBA World Cup”: Jay Triano, former Canadian men’s basketball coach
Former Canada men’s basketball coach Jay Triano expresses his thoughts on the Canada men’s basketball team. He believes the team has the squad needed to go far in the FIBA World Championship and qualify for the Olympics.
A Spanish shot was deflected, Lu Dort caught the ball and handed it to Gilgeous-Alexander. He was quickly fouled and had to go to the line for two free throws.
Canadian fans chanted “MVP!” as he managed both to take a four-point lead.
After a time-out, Juan Nunez threw a hook to help Spain move up to two points.
Gilgeous-Alexander was fouled after Canada threw the ball back, sending him to the line again. He sank both and added another four-point lead with 13 seconds left in the game.
Aldama made a three-pointer to limit the game to one point and Gilgeous-Alexander was sent in a three-pointer on the next inbound for a quick foul, which again sent him to the free-throw line.
Once again Gilgeous-Alexander executed both free throws and then Spain, with less than four seconds left, failed to find a viable shot.
Not all messages on the site express the site’s point of view, but we automatically transmit and translate those messages through programmatic technology on the site and not by a human editor
2023-09-03 16:40:45
#Canadas #mens #basketball #team #secures #Olympic #spot #route #World #Cup #quarterfinals
