opportunity for Canada Basketball to demonstrate their versatility, turning potential into tangible strength in the AmeriCup tournament
Canada Basketball Gears Up for 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics
Canada Basketball is making significant strides in its preparations for the upcoming 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Key to this strategy is the active involvement of players like Kyshawn George and Trae Bell-Haynes in the FIBA Americas Pre-Qualifiers.
Kyshawn George, a Montreal-born basketball player who played his rookie season with the Washington Wizards, is aiming to expand his role in Canada Basketball and eventually play in major international events like the Olympics. Currently, he is training with Canada Basketball's senior team, preparing for the AmeriCup later this month.
Trae Bell-Haynes, a veteran basketball player, has been proudly called to play for Canada Basketball. He is joined by young NBA players like George and Miller, as well as veterans like Kyle Wiltjer and Thomas Kennedy, in Canada Basketball's senior team for the AmeriCup.
The qualification process for the 2027 World Cup is long and arduous, with the first two windows in November and February, when NBA players won't be available. However, Canada Basketball is undeterred and is focusing on rebuilding its stock of coaches, leaning heavily on homegrown talent. The team has settled on a 10-man group of coaches, including Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, Utah Jazz assistant Scott Morrison, and Nathaniel Mitchell, who acted as the head coach for Canada Basketball last summer.
Canada Basketball is seeking coaches for the summer and the November and February qualification windows due to Gordie Herbert's unavailability. Herbert, who led Germany to a World Cup gold medal in 2023, will lead Canada Basketball through the L.A. Games but is unavailable until 2026.
The AmeriCup is the first significant step in a long process of qualifying for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The experience gained by the team during the AmeriCup is of vital long-term importance for Canada's future international basketball events. For George, the AmeriCup is an opportunity to gain experience, get reps, and potentially make his mark on the team.
Canada's qualification for the 2023 World Cup ended a 24-year Canadian Olympic drought and also qualified for the Paris Games. Having a deep pool of experienced FIBA players is vital for Canada's qualification process, as it was instrumental in Canada qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and earning a bronze medal.
Canada Basketball is actively preparing for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by engaging their players in key qualification events such as the Americas Pre-Qualifiers happening in August 2025. The team Canada is sending to Nicaraua for the AmeriCup includes Trae Bell-Haynes.
[1] Canada Basketball press release, "Canada Announces Roster for 2025 FIBA Americas Pre-Qualifiers", link
[2] FIBA, "2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup", link
[3] FIBA, "2028 FIBA Basketball Olympic Qualifying Tournaments", link
- The media has reported extensively on Canada Basketball's preparations for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, highlighting the involvement of players like Kyshawn George and Trae Bell-Haynes.
- Toronto-based news outlets have covered the story of Canada Basketball, mentioning the importance of events such as the 2025 FIBA Americas Pre-Qualifiers in Nicaragua, where Trae Bell-Haynes will represent the team.
- NBA media channels have also featured news about Canada Basketball, discussing the country's strategy to rebuild its coaching stock and qualify for the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
- Following Canada's successful qualification for the 2023 World Cup and the Paris Games, sports analysts have emphasized the significance of the upcoming AmeriCup tournament in the team's long-term international basketball goals.
