FIBA World Cup Qualifiers vs. Dominican Republic

By Trung Ho

June 29th, 2018 Toronto, ON (Ricoh Coliseum) Team Canada has brought together players from a diverse range of leagues in pursuit of their Olympic aspirations. Left to right: (NBA), (Euro League), (Euro League and former U Sports), and Andrew Nembhard (High School) during pregame warmups. Team Canada takes the court 90 minutes before tip-off for stretches and drills. Left: Thomas Scrubb completing dribbling exercises. Right: R.J. Barrett warming up. Players from both teams take the floor for official warmups. Both teams Left: Strength and conditioning coach Charlie Weingroff directing exercise drills during pre-game warmups. Right: The Dominican Republic team during player introductions. Left: Philip Scrubb of Zenit Saint Petersburg (VTB United League) inbounds the ball. Right: guard takes a jump shot over Adris De Leon. Cory Joseph of the Indiana Pacers brings the ball up the court. Born in Toronto and raised in Pickering, ON, Joseph has provided a consistent NBA presence on Canada’s National Team throughout his career including the country’s U18, U19, and Men’s National Team. Dillon Brooks drives past a Dominican Republic defender. Brooks, a Mississauga native, tied for a team-high 14 points. R.J. Barrett, an incoming freshman at Duke University celebrates after an offensive rebound and put-back. Barrett is expected to become a lottery draft pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Left: Head coach Jay Triano during a timeout in the second half. Triano is currently the lead assistant coach on the . Right: Philip Scrubb entering the game after a timeout. Scrubb, a former guard for Carleton University, is considered one of the most accomplished athlete in U Sports (formerly CIS) history. Among the crowd of basketball celebrities included Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (left) and Tristan Thompson (right) of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Left: Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall poses for pictures with fans. Right: superfan Nav Bhatia (right) cheering on the sidelines. A unique aspect of the Team Canada Men’s National program is its inclusion of players from all levels of basketball. Andrew Nembhard (left) and R.J. Barrett (right) are two of Canada’s most highly- regarded prospects who have just graduated from high school. Left: Dominican Republic’s Rigoberto Mendoza blocks a lay-up attempt by Cory Joseph. Right: looks for a foul call after colliding with a defender. Left: of the Miami Heat and Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks having a discussion as the game nears an end. Right: Following international basketball customs, Team Canada acknowledges the home crowd at Ricoh Coliseum following a 97-61 victory.