Raptors' Chris Boucher, Oshae Brissett, plan to play for Canada in last-chance Olympic qualifier
Canada Basketball commitment heating up, led by Denver guard Jamal Murray
Centre Chris Boucher and forward Oshae Brissett of the Toronto Raptors have said they intend to play for Canada at an Olympic men's basketball qualifying tournament next year in Victoria.
Montreal's Boucher has seen increased minutes with the Raptors due to an injury to bench leader Serge Ibaka. The former MVP of the developmental G League is averaging 6.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 13.5 minutes per game. He has posted a double-double in three of his last five games.
"To shut down all the rumours, I [would] love to play for team Canada this summer," Boucher posted on Twitter.
Brissett, from Mississauga, Ont., signed a two-way contract with Toronto before the season after going undrafted following two years at Syracuse. He is averaging one point, 0.3 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 4.3 minutes per game.
He's averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 32.3 minutes with Raptors 905 of the G League.
"I always take pride in playing for my country and look to put my efforts into helping Canada Basketball," he posted on Twitter. "Injury sidelined me last summer but I look forward to helping my guys this summer. Let's go Canada."
Playing for my country is always an honour and I want to take the step and leadership role to commit to @canadabasketball this summer. I want to play my part to help push our team into the Olympics and compete at the highest world stage. Let’s go Canada🇨🇦🇨🇦
—@BeMore27Denver guard Jamal Murray, Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, New Orleans guard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett, Memphis swingman Dillon Brooks, Dallas centre Dwight Powell and Orlando big man Khem Birch have also said they plan to play for Canada at the tournament, which runs June 23-28.
Canada will host Greece, the Czech Republic, Turkey, China and Uruguay in the last-chance qualifying tournament. Canada must win to clinch its first men's Olympic berth since the 2000 Sydney Games.