Canada men's national basketball team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Canada

FIBA ranking	7 1 (March 1, 2024)
Joined FIBA	1936
FIBA zone	FIBA Americas
National federation	Canada Basketball
Coach	Jordi Fernández
Nickname(s)	Team Canada
Olympic Games
Appearances	10
Medals	Silver: (1936)
FIBA World Cup
Appearances	15
Medals	Bronze: (2023)
FIBA AmeriCup
Appearances	19
Medals	Silver: (1980, 1999) Bronze: (1984, 1988, 2001, 2015)
Home Away
First international
Canada 24–17 Brazil  (Berlin, Germany; August 7, 1936)
Biggest win
Canada 128–38 Malaysia  (Tenerife, Spain; July 5, 1986)
Biggest defeat
Greece 123–49 Canada  (Athens, Greece; August 17, 2010)
Medal record Men's basketball Olympic Games Silver 1936 Berlin Team FIBA World Cup Bronze 2023 Philippines–Japan–Indonesia FIBA AmeriCup Silver 1980 Puerto Rico Silver 1999 Puerto Rico Bronze 1984 Brazil Bronze 1988 Uruguay Bronze 2001 Argentina Bronze 2015 Mexico Pan American Games Silver 2015 Toronto Team

The Canada men's national basketball team is the official team that represents Canada in international basketball games. They have been playing since 1923 and are managed by Canada Basketball.

Canada has played in 10 Olympic Games. They won a silver medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The team also finished fourth in 1976 and 1984. Canada has earned six medals at the FIBA AmeriCup, including two silver medals in 1980 and 1999. They also won four bronze medals in 1984, 1988, 2001, and 2015. More recently, they won a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The Canadian team also won a gold medal at a university-level tournament, the 1983 Summer Universiade. Canada hosted this event in Edmonton, Alberta.

History of Team Canada Basketball

Early Days and Growth

Canada is known as the country where basketball was invented. Because of this, Canada's national team has often been a strong competitor in global basketball.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Team Canada was consistently one of the top teams in the world. The rise of star player Steve Nash in the 1990s gave the team another boost. However, after he retired, great performances became less common.

Challenges and Comebacks (2009–2016)

In 2009, Canada played in the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship. They made it to the semifinals but lost to Brazil. This result helped them qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. Unfortunately, Canada finished 22nd, which was a disappointing result. Many blamed the absence of key players like Steve Nash for this performance.

In 2012, Steve Nash became the team's general manager. After a tough 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, the team found success at the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship. They reached the semifinals but lost a very close game to Venezuela (78–79). In the third-place game, they beat Mexico 87–86 to win a bronze medal.

This bronze medal allowed Canada to play in the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament – Manila. They needed to win this tournament to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Canada made it to the finals but lost to France 74–83, missing out on the Olympics once again.

Recent Years (2017–Present)

After missing the Olympics, Canada played in the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup. Most of the players were not from the NBA, and the team finished in 8th place. In 2018, Canada won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Before the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Nick Nurse, who coached the Toronto Raptors, became the head coach for Team Canada. The team finished 21st at the World Cup, which was one of their lowest rankings ever.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team had to withdraw from some games in 2020. This led to a penalty from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Canada had one more chance to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. They played in the 2020 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments – Victoria but lost a very close overtime game to the Czech Republic, missing the Olympics for the fifth time in a row.

The Rogers Centre in Toronto has often been Team Canada's home court.

After these challenges, Canada Basketball started a new plan called the 'Summer Core'. This involved 14 players committing to play for Canada for three summers in a row. This commitment was for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics. This marked Canada's first Olympic appearance since 2000.

In 2022, Canada finished 4th at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup. In 2023, Jordi Fernández became the new head coach. Before the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Canada played exhibition games and won against higher-ranked teams like Germany and Spain.

Canada started the World Cup strong, beating France 95–65. They won all their first-round games. After a loss to Brazil, they had to beat Spain to get an automatic spot in the 2024 Olympics. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada came back from 12 points down to win 88–85. This win secured their spot in the World Cup quarterfinals and their first Olympic spot since 2000.

Canada then beat Slovenia 100–89, reaching the World Cup semifinals for the first time. After losing to Serbia, Canada played the United States for the bronze medal. They won an exciting overtime game 127–118. Dillon Brooks scored 39 points in this game. This was Canada's first global championship medal since 1936! Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team, and Brooks won the Best Defensive Player award. The team was also named Team of the Year by The Canadian Press.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Canada was considered a favorite for a medal. They had many stars from the World Cup, plus Jamal Murray. Canada won all their group games, even in a tough group. However, they were surprisingly knocked out in the quarterfinals by host country France.

Team Canada's Records

Summer Olympics

Olympic Games record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD
1936	Silver medalists	2nd of 23	6	5	1	176	104	+72
1948	9th place	9th of 23	8	6	2	397	313	+84
1952	13th place	13th of 23	6	3	3	404	385	+19
1956	9th place	9th of 15	7	5	2	511	455	+56
1960	Did not qualify
1964	14th place	14th of 16	9	1	8	555	670	–115
1968	Did not qualify
1972
1976	4th place	4th of 12	7	4	3	595	611	–16
1980	Originally qualified, but withdrew
1984	4th place	4th of 12	8	4	4	681	639	+42
1988	6th place	6th of 12	6	2	4	552	550	+2
1992	Did not qualify
1996
2000	7th place	7th of 12	6	4	2	496	441	+55
2004	Did not qualify
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024	5th place	5th of 12	4	3	1	340	329	+11
2028	To be determined
Total	1 medal	10/22	67	37	30	4,707	4,497	+210

FIBA World Cup

Year	Position	Tournament	Host
1950	—	1950 FIBA World Championship	Buenos Aires, Argentina
1954	7	1954 FIBA World Championship	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1959	12	1959 FIBA World Championship	Chile
1963	11	1963 FIBA World Championship	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1967	—	1967 FIBA World Championship	Uruguay
1970	10	1970 FIBA World Championship	Yugoslavia
1974	8	1974 FIBA World Championship	Puerto Rico
1978	6	1978 FIBA World Championship	Philippines
1982	6	1982 FIBA World Championship	Colombia
1986	8	1986 FIBA World Championship	Spain
1990	12	1990 FIBA World Championship	Argentina
1994	7	1994 FIBA World Championship	Toronto, Canada
1998	12	1998 FIBA World Championship	Athens, Greece
2002	13	2002 FIBA World Championship	Indianapolis, U.S.
2006	—	2006 FIBA World Championship	Japan
2010	22	2010 FIBA World Championship	Turkey
2014	—	2014 FIBA World Cup	Spain
2019	21	2019 FIBA World Cup	China
2023	3 Bronze	2023 FIBA World Cup	Philippines, Japan and Indonesia
2027	To be determined	2027 FIBA World Cup	Qatar

FIBA AmeriCup

Year	Position	Tournament	Host
1980	2 Silver	1980 Tournament of the Americas	San Juan, Puerto Rico
1984	3 Bronze	1984 Tournament of the Americas	São Paulo, Brazil
1988	3 Bronze	1988 Tournament of the Americas	Montevideo, Uruguay
1989	5	1989 Tournament of the Americas	Mexico City, Mexico
1992	5	1992 Tournament of the Americas	Portland, U.S.
1993	7	1993 Tournament of the Americas	San Juan, Puerto Rico
1995	4	1995 Tournament of the Americas	Neuquén, Argentina
1997	5	1997 Tournament of the Americas	Montevideo, Uruguay
1999	2 Silver	1999 Tournament of the Americas	San Juan, Puerto Rico
2001	3 Bronze	2001 Tournament of the Americas	Neuquén, Argentina
2003	4	2003 Tournament of the Americas	San Juan, Puerto Rico
2005	9	2005 FIBA Americas Championship	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2007	5	2007 FIBA Americas Championship	Las Vegas, U.S.
2009	4	2009 FIBA Americas Championship	San Juan, Puerto Rico
2011	6	2011 FIBA Americas Championship	Mar del Plata, Argentina
2013	6	2013 FIBA Americas Championship	Caracas, Venezuela
2015	3 Bronze	2015 FIBA Americas Championship	Mexico City, Mexico
2017	8	2017 FIBA AmeriCup	Argentina/Colombia/Uruguay
2022	4	2022 FIBA AmeriCup	Recife, Brazil
2025	To be determined	2025 FIBA AmeriCup	Managua, Nicaragua

Pan American Games

Year	Position	Tournament	Host
1951	—	Basketball at the 1951 Pan American Games	Buenos Aires, Argentina
1955	—	Basketball at the 1955 Pan American Games	Mexico City, Mexico
1959	5	Basketball at the 1959 Pan American Games	Chicago, U.S.
1963	6	Basketball at the 1963 Pan American Games	São Paulo, Brazil
1967	9	Basketball at the 1967 Pan American Games	Winnipeg, Canada
1971	8	Basketball at the 1971 Pan American Games	Cali, Colombia
1975	6	Basketball at the 1975 Pan American Games	Mexico City, Mexico
1979	5	Basketball at the 1979 Pan American Games	San Juan, Puerto Rico
1983	4	Basketball at the 1983 Pan American Games	Caracas, Venezuela
1987	5	Basketball at the 1987 Pan American Games	Indianapolis, U.S.
1991	9	Basketball at the 1991 Pan American Games	Havana, Cuba
1995	—	Basketball at the 1995 Pan American Games	Mar del Plata, Argentina
1999	5	Basketball at the 1999 Pan American Games	Winnipeg, Canada
2003	7	Basketball at the 2003 Pan American Games	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
2007	7	Basketball at the 2007 Pan American Games	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2011	6	Basketball at the 2011 Pan American Games	Guadalajara, Mexico
2015	2 Silver	Basketball at the 2015 Pan American Games	Toronto, Canada
2019	—	Basketball at the 2019 Pan American Games	Lima, Peru
2023	Withdrew	Basketball at the 2023 Pan American Games	Santiago, Chile

Other Tournaments

• 2018 Commonwealth Games – Silver
• 1983 Summer Universiade – Gold
• 1985 Summer Universiade – Bronze
• 1991 Summer Universiade – Silver
• 1993 Summer Universiade – Silver
• 1995 Summer Universiade – Bronze
• 1997 Summer Universiade – Silver
• 2003 Summer Universiade – Bronze
• 2007 Summer Universiade – Bronze
• 2011 Summer Universiade – Silver

Team Members

Current Roster

This is the team that played in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's team rosters

Head Coaches

Past Rosters (Selected)

Here are some notable past teams:

• 1936 Summer Olympics: Finished 2nd (Silver Medal)
  • Players: Gordon Aitchison, Ian Allison, Arthur Chapman, Charles Chapman, Edward Dawson, Irving Meretsky, Douglas Peden, James Stewart, Malcolm Wiseman.

• 1976 Summer Olympics: Finished 4th
  • Players: John Cassidy, Alex Devlin, Cameron Hall, Lars Hansen, Romel Raffin, Martin Riley, Bill Robinson, Jamie Russell, Derek Sankey, Bob Sharpe, Phil Tollestrup, Bob Town.

• 1983 Summer Universiade: Finished 1st (Gold Medal)
  • Players: Kelly Dukeshire, John Hatch, Gord Herbert, Gerald Kazanowski, Howard Kelsey, Dan Meagher, Eli Pasquale, Tony Simms, Karl Tilleman, Jay Triano, Bill Wennington, Greg Wiltjer.

• 1984 Summer Olympics: Finished 4th
  • Players: John Hatch, Gord Herbert, Gerald Kazanowski, Howard Kelsey, Dan Meagher, Eli Pasquale, Romel Raffin, Tony Simms, Karl Tilleman, Jay Triano, Bill Wennington, Greg Wiltjer.

• 1994 FIBA World Championship: Finished 7th
  • Players: Rick Fox, Kory Hallas, J.D. Jackson, Martin Keane, Spencer McKay, Ronn McMahon, Steve Nash, William Njoku, Mike Smrek, Joey Vickery, Dwight Walton, Greg Wiltjer.

• 1999 Tournament of the Americas: Finished 2nd (Silver Medal)
  • Players: Richard Elias Anderson, Rowan Barrett, Peter Guarasci, Sherman Hamilton, Andrew Mavis, Todd MacCulloch, Jordie McTavish, Michael Meeks, Steve Nash (MVP), Greg Newton, Shawn Swords, Keith Vassell.

• 2000 Summer Olympics: Finished 7th
  • Players: Rowan Barrett, David Daniels, Greg Francis, Peter Guarasci, Sherman Hamilton, Eric Hinrichsen, Todd MacCulloch, Andrew Mavis, Michael Meeks, Steve Nash, Greg Newton, Shawn Swords.

• 2015 FIBA Americas Championship: Finished 3rd (Bronze Medal)
  • Players: Anthony Bennett, Aaron Doornekamp, Melvin Ejim, Brady Heslip, Cory Joseph, Andrew Nicholson, Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Robert Sacre, Philip Scrubb, Nik Stauskas, Andrew Wiggins.

• 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup: Finished 3rd (Bronze Medal)
  • Players: Luguentz Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Melvin Ejim, Dwight Powell, RJ Barrett, Kyle Alexander, Kelly Olynyk, Zach Edey, Philip Scrubb, Dillon Brooks, Trae Bell-Haynes.

• 2024 Summer Olympics: Finished 5th
  • Players: Luguentz Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Melvin Ejim, Jamal Murray, Dwight Powell, Trey Lyles, RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk, Andrew Nembhard, Dillon Brooks, Khem Birch.

See also

• Canada Basketball
• FIBA Americas
• Canada women's national basketball team
• Canada national under-19 basketball team
• Canada national under-17 basketball team