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Canada begins final FIBA Men's World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers window with meeting against No. 4 Argentina
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (February 23, 2023) - The Canadian Senior Men’s National Team are looking to remain perfect as they wrap up the sixth and final FIBA Men's World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers window.
The window officially begins Thursday night for Canada, as they take on Argentina in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Tip-off is set for 7:40 p.m. ET, live on Sportsnet.
While a spot in this summer’s FIBA Basketball Men’s World Cup 2023 is already locked up for Canada — thanks to a blemish free 10-0 record and their position atop of the Group E standings — Argentina remains on the outside looking in, as they look to clinch their respective berth.
Within Canada’s undefeated run through qualifying came a win against Argentina when they met this past August in Victoria, B.C. Twenty-three points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paved the way for a 99-87 victory on home soil — a win that ultimately set the stage for Canada to punch their ticket to the Men's World Cup in November in Edmonton.
But this time around, the meeting against No. 4 ranked Argentina will take place away from familiar confines and inside the Polideportivo Islas Malvinas, which served as the host arena for the 1995 Pan American Games.
And with the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander starring in the NBA and other professional leagues across the world, three familiar faces from the team in Victoria will star for Canada in brothers Phil and Thomas Scrubb, as well as Kalif Young.
Argentina, Venezuela and Dominican Republic are all situated behind Canada at 7-3 within the Group E standings with only the top-three finishing teams in the Group receiving qualifying guarantees for this summer’s World Cup, meaning lots is on the line for Argentina on Thursday night.
What you need to know
Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty: The theme of cohesion remains for Window 6 with Canada's roster consisting of a large batch of previous window returnees, including the likes of Trae-Bell Haynes, Jahvon Blair, Kenny Chery and Connor Morgan. Perhaps no two players have exemplified commitment to their country throughout World Cup qualifying quite like Phil and Thomas Scrubb, who have been a part of Team Canada’s roster for all 10 of their qualifiers thus far. The Richmond, B.C. products are both set to star in Canada’s contingent in Window 6.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Suiting up for your country hits different 🍁 <a href="https://t.co/bjmWEUAvgp">https://t.co/bjmWEUAvgp</a> <a href="https://t.co/QsIvz6G2fx">pic.twitter.com/QsIvz6G2fx</a></p>— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanBball/status/1617919279168364545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The other side: Facundo Campazzo is one of the players to watch for Argentina. The 5-foot-10 point guard is expected to return to the Argentina roster after missing Window 5. Campazzo, who spent parts of the last three seasons in the NBA, had 17 points and eight rebounds in the meeting in Victoria this summer.
What’s on deck: Following Thursday’s contest, Canada will travel to Caracas, Venezuela for their final qualifying matchup, which is set for Sunday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Where to watch: All the action against Argentina can be seen live on Sportsnet. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:40pm ET.
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