How 9 Timberwolves can benefit from the 2023 FIBA WC competition
By Bret Stuter
Canada
While our neighbor to the north is more commonly associated with the winter sport of ice hockey, the inclusion of the Toronto Raptors in the NBA is a clear sign of the growing popularity of basketball among the residents of Canada. And if you still doubt the popularity and proficiency of Canadian basketball players, just check out their roster:
Team Canada’s depth chart for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup:
— Coach Hudson (@coach_hudson58) July 19, 2023
G: Jamal Murray / Nickeil Alexander-Walker / Joseph
G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander / Dillon Brooks
F: RJ Barrett / Luguentz Dort
F: Kelly Olynyk / Oshae Brissett
C: Dwight Powell / Thomas Scrubb / Zach Edey pic.twitter.com/Z764TXfEfl
It’s quite clear that Team Canada is one of the teams to beat for any team hoping for a shot at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
So what should Timberwolves fans look for from the 6-foot-5 205-pound veteran shooting guard? Well, in the 2021 Team Canada competition, NAW surprised many by playing in three games and averaging:
26.3 MPG | 16.7 PPG | 38.9 3P% | 4.3 RPG | 4.0 APG | 1.0 SPG | 0.0 BPG
While he is a backup on the 2023 Team Canada roster, I feel that his performance could easily come in with similar numbers.
Team Canada opens the competition against Team France on August 25, 2023. Team Canada’s next opponent is Team Lebanon on August 27, 2023. Finally, Team Canada will face Team Latvia on August 29, 2023.