Team Canada opened up the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup with an emphatic victory as they dominated France 95-65 on Thursday evening.
give them a round, Canada 👏🇨🇦#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/31G4xJwmQQ
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 25, 2023
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is taking place across three counties as the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia play host from August 25 to September 10.
The 32 participating teams will play in 92 games played over 16 days.
Canada will square off with three other counties (France, Lebanon and Latvia) in Group H as they battle it out on the court looking to solidly their berth into the second round.
It was a statement game for Canada in their opener as France was the fifth ranked country in the world heading into the tournament while Canada came in to the contest in the 15th spot.
Canada was led by budding superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as he exploded for 27 points, 13 rebounds and six assists throughout the Thursday night contest.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed out in Canada's #FIBAWC opening win 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) August 25, 2023
27 PTS, 13 REB, 6 AST pic.twitter.com/OONcGL9s5h
Other notable individual performances from Canada saw Kelly Olynyk of the Utah Jazz notch 18 points and four rebounds while Dillon Brooks recorded 12 points and four rebounds.
Canada's roster consists of players from the NBA, NCAA and overseas:
Next up for Canada will be a matchup with Lebanon on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2:45am before they conclude the group stage portion with a meeting with Latvia on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 6:30am.
